Entertainment
Who becomes minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture?
This is the time of the year many Ghanaian expect the president to nominate people to head some ministries and other vital state institutions in the country, following the re-election and swearing-in of President Akufo-Addo and the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on January 7.
Following this, they would need some people to help them implement the various policies of the government to the benefit of Ghanaians.
For this reason, stakeholders in the creative arts space have started mentioning some individuals to catch the eyes of the appointing authority.
Some of the emerging names include, Akwasi Agyemang, Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour), Mark Okraku Mantey, Catherine Afeku, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Socrates Sarfo, and James Korsah-Brown.
Those calling for the two former Ministers of Tourism Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, and Catherine Afeku believe that either of them should be given the nod to continue the uncompleted projects they started.
According to them, consistency was critical to the growth of the industry, and since both of them lost their re-election bid to parliament, they would fully concentrate on the activities of the ministry.
Others clamouring for the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman are of the view that considering his tremendous contribution to the country’s tourism sector over the years, he deserved to be appointed the minister of the sector.
They said, his successful organisation of the Year of Return, measures he put in place for the Beyond the Return and other initiatives for the sector were a testament of someone capable of turning the fortunes of the ministry around.
Also, those in support of Bice Osei Kuffour, Obour think that his reign as President of the Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) was successful, and through his leadership the Association becomes attractive.
According to them, through Obour’s ingenuity, he was able to secure some grants for MUSIGA and created Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund (AMWeF), among other innovations, as well as mobilsed other candidates who lost the New Patriotic Party’s primaries to campaign for the president.
For Mark Okraku Mantey, who was acting President of the Creative Arts Council, now Creative Arts Agency, some stakeholders think his exceptional qualities, led to the series of Master classes which yielded a lot of benefit for practitioners.
They believe he played an instrumental role in the passage of the creative arts bill to properly set up the sector for a prosperous future and was able to bring some stars together to set up Creative Arts for More group to campaign for the president, leading to the re-election of the NPP.
Astute Movie Director and Director for Creative Arts at the National Commission on Culture , Socrates Sarfo’s name has also come up, as they think he has what it takes and has gone through the mill to hold the top position.
Through his hard work for the party during the electioneering period and years of experience in the creative arts sector, others have tipped him for the top job.
Some stakeholders have also mentioned talent Manager, and 2020 Member of Parliament aspirant for Mfantsiman Constituency, James Korsah Brown.
Those championing for him believe that his instrumentality in 3 Music Awards, as well as other activities in the area of creative arts places him in a pole position for the job.
This year is crucial year in the life of the creative arts sector following the passage of the creative arts bill which paved way for the industry to be set up properly.
Clearly, this demands that the right human resources should be appointed to take up positions to fix the industry.
The ministry was first created in 2013 by former President John Dramani Mahama, with Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare and Abla Dzifa Gomashie as minister and deputy respectively.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
GOMOA Central Constituency in the Central Region of Ghana was the place of attraction for this year’s Easter, as Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kwame Asare Obeng, affectionately called Aplus staged a four-day carnival.
The event started with a welcome bonfire night, where the people of Gomoa and some dignitaries proceeded through the principal streets of Gomoa Central on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
It continued on Friday with Highlife Night, which saw Kwabena, Bless, Dada Hafco, Kofi Nti, Ofori Amponsah, Samini and others rock patrons.
Saturday started with a walk from Obuasi through Afranse to Ekwamkrom, where a durbar of chiefs was held.
The night erupted with concert at Ekwamkrom headlined by Ghana’s Finest Sarkodie. Sarkodie indeed proved his mettle with back-to-back hit songs and engaging performance.
Patrons also enjoyed mind-blowing performances from Keche, Kuami Eugene, Tinny, Obaapa Christy, Sista Afia and many others.
On Sunday, which was the final day, witnessed packed performances from Patapaa, Kofi Kinaata, Jupitar, Kwaw Kese, Piesie Esther, and Amerado amongst others.
Patrons enjoyed exquisite catwalk on the runway as Smully Wear put together some local designers for a fashion show.
The likes of Aplus, MP for the area, Deputy GTA Boss Gilbert Aggrey (Abeiku Santana), New Media President Eugene Osafo Nkansah and Media Personality Kleff Maxwell Justice (KMJ) were all on the runway as models.
On each day, up and coming musicians had their time on the big stage to enthrall the audience.
Mr Kwame Asare Obeng in an interview with The Spectator expressed his appreciation to the traditional leaders of the area, the constituents, Corporate Ghana and all and sundry for their unflinching support.
He said the success of the maiden edition will lead to even a bigger one next year.
According to him, his constituents who own businesses like hotels, restaurants, other traders and drivers among others were able to cash out from the carnival, which was very satisfying to him.
“Empowering the community to make ends meet to cater for their families was important for me. I have engaged most of them, and they are happy with sales. This makes me very happy,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
THE Accra Sports Stadium will host the maiden edition of Katon Praise 2026, a global worship gathering aimed at uniting believers across nations through spirit-led praise, on Friday, April 17.
The event, scheduled to begin at 4pm, will bring together worshippers for an atmosphere of prayer, music and reflection centred on the theme: ‘To See Jesus Glorified.’
Organisers have said that Katon Praise was more than a musical concert, noting that it was intended to serve as a movement that connects people in a shared moment of worship, regardless of location.
According to the organisers, the programme will feature a line-up of worship ministers performing under a unified sound to create a collective worship experience.
The gathering will also be streamed live on the Katon Meet platform to enable audiences around the world to participate.
Organisers say the Accra edition marks the beginning of what is expected to grow into a global worship platform that brings together believers to celebrate faith through music and prayer.
Worshippers attending the maiden programme are expected to experience an evening of praise and spiritual reflection as voices from different backgrounds join in a common expression of faith.
The organisers have encouraged the public to follow the movement through the hashtags #KatonPraise and #KatonMeet on social media platforms. -GNA
