The Parliamentary Select Committee on Tourism, Culture, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs has visited Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, in an effort to tighten oversight and foster deeper institutional collaboration.
As part of the committee’s constitutionally mandated monitoring duties, the visit aimed to improve policy implementation and service delivery in the cultural and tourism sectors by strengthening the bonds between the legislative and executive branches of government.
Hon. Gomashie welcomed the delegation and called the visit a “national duty and a divine call.”
She underlined that the ministry is prepared to collaborate closely with Parliament in order to obtain legislative backing for the advancement of Ghana’s cultural identity and the expansion of the travel and tourism industry.
The minister praised Ghana’s successful inscription of the famous Kente fabric on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting recent achievements.
She attributed this success to the ministry’s concerted efforts to preserve and advance Ghana’s rich cultural legacy around the world.
The minister also disclosed current efforts to have Highlife music, which she characterized as “purely and authentically Ghanaian,” recognized by UNESCO.
In order to assist its nomination efforts, the ministry has put up an extensive archive that includes scholarly documents, audio recordings, and interviews, she said.
The minister highlighted the sector’s economic importance by revealing that, at the moment, tourism, culture, and the creative arts account for the third-largest share of Ghana’s GDP.
“With your support,” she said, “we believe it is possible to move from third position to the first.”
She also urged Parliament to back legislative changes that would modernize and simplify the work of the ministry’s agencies.
Despite the ministry’s restructure under a 2013 Executive Instrument, many of these organizations, including the Centers for National Culture and the National Commission on Culture, continue to function under antiquated legislative frameworks.
Hon. Fred Kyei Asamoah, the Parliamentary Select Committee chairman and the MP for Offinso North, commended the minister’s initiative and leadership.
He clarified that, in accordance with Order 257(2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, the visit was a component of the committee’s larger familiarization tour.
“The committee is mandated to examine the work of ministries, departments, and agencies within its purview. As part of this responsibility, we plan to undertake a further visit to assess the ministry’s operations and service delivery firsthand,” Hon. Asamoah stated.
Hon. Ayamba Ayii Laadi, MP for Pusiga and Ranking Member of the Committee, underlined the need to boost tourism in the Northern Region.
She emphasized the potential of the area’s distinctive sights and regional cuisine, jokingly pointing out the health advantages of traditional Ghanaian food, which she said is why she looks so young.
A mutual commitment to continued cooperation between the Committee and the ministry marked the end of the meeting.
Both sides concurred that Ghana must be positioned as a top cultural and tourism destination on the international scene by fortifying alliances and harmonizing legal and policy frameworks.
Source: newsthemegh.com