Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has revealed that she was mentored by celebrated actress Maame Dokono  when she ventured into the creative industry.

During an interview on Prime Time on Joy Prime with George Quaye, Madam Dzifa also mentioned that the late former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was also a formidable force behind the outcome of her life today.

“Maame Dokono mentored me from my early years in the arts, Faith brought me to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. May she continue to rest in peace,”  she said.

She also acknowledged her work in women’s advocacy, noting, “I have walked this journey with Nanahemaa Adowa Weandoh for years. Supporting women has always been a calling for me.”

She also acknowledged her work in women’s advocacy, noting, “I have walked this journey with Nanahemaa Adowa Weandoh for years. Supporting women has always been a calling for me.”

Gomashie stressed that her core values were formed long before politics. “I was created to be bold and principled,” she said, attributing these traits to her upbringing as a Ga woman raised by Catholic parents in Burma Camp. Discipline, punctuality and respect were compulsory in her home.

She recalled a childhood incident that stayed with her.

“I got home one day at 7:45 from an outing with my cousins. I had broken my curfew,” she said.

Although her father rarely resorted to physical punishment, she remembered his reaction clearly.

“That day, I saw him throw my checked suitcase away. That was his way of telling me I had crossed a line.”

Reflecting on her creative beginnings, Gomashie said, “I studied creative arts in secondary school” and “I was a very good dancer. The arts were my first love.”

She said relocating to Ethiopia because of her late husband’s posting as Ghana’s defence attaché enriched her cultural experiences and informs her perspective on the creative sector today.

She explained that her journey took a new direction after noticing that her part of the Volta Region had no female representation.

“I realized that in the whole of the southern part of the Volta Region, no woman had ever been to Parliament,” she said. “It was traumatizing.”

She said the revelation moved her to seek the office and break through that barrier. According to her, her victory has inspired many sinc

On January 16, 2025, President Mahama nominated Dzifa Gomashie, the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, as the Minister-designate for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts.

Gomashie had previously held the position of Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts during Mahama's administration from 2013 to 2017.

She promised to work hard and make a difference.

Speaking on her first day in office on Monday, January 27, 2025, she assured her team of her dedication to the role.

Dzifa Gomashie was warmly received by the ministry’s Director of Human Resources and Acting Chief Director, Vittus Otto Langmagne. She also met with directors and the management team to discuss the ministry’s plans moving forward.

The minister stressed the need for teamwork and urged her team to fully support President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for the sector. She asked them to play their part in ensuring the ministry succeeds.

She also emphasized the importance of promoting tourism, culture, and creative arts in a way that benefits everyone involved.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Dzifa Gomashie expressed confidence in her ability to drive growth, create opportunities, and leave a positive impact.

"While I may not be new to this ministry, I am open to learning new things, and I am confident that together, we can achieve great things.

"I am excited to embark on this journey and I look forward to working with each and every one of you," she added.

Although it her first day at work in this administration, Dzifa Gomashie was Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts from 2013 to 2017 when John Mahama served his first term as Ghana's president.

This time, in what is a promotion, she has returned to the helm of the ministry to serve as sector minister.

She has also pledged to focus on developing key tourist sites, including Mole National Park in the Savannah Region.

During her vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, she stressed the importance of strategic investments to make major tourist destinations more attractive.

“I agree with you that Mole, for years, has been one of the most frequently visited sites. What it needs is more investment. Our country must focus on giving more to this sector to attract the required resources. I will be pushing for this agenda,” she said.

Additionally, Gomashie mentioned the Black Star Experience model, a framework aimed at empowering district, municipal, and metropolitan assemblies to initiate projects in arts, tourism, and culture, thereby stimulating local economies.

As the Member of Parliament for Ketu South and a Queen Mother in the Aflao Traditional Area, she reaffirmed her commitment to leveraging tourism, culture, and creative arts as vital contributors to Ghana’s economic transformation.

Another pledge she has made is to focus on developing key tourist sites, including Mole National Park in the Savannah Region.

During her vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, she stressed the importance of strategic investments to make major tourist destinations more attractive.

“I agree with you that Mole, for years, has been one of the most frequently visited sites. What it needs is more investment. Our country must focus on giving more to this sector to attract the required resources. I will be pushing for this agenda,” she said.

Additionally, Gomashie mentioned the Black Star Experience model, a framework aimed at empowering district, municipal, and metropolitan assemblies to initiate projects in arts, tourism, and culture, thereby stimulating local economies.

As the Member of Parliament for Ketu South and a Queen Mother in the Aflao Traditional Area, she reaffirmed her commitment to leveraging tourism, culture, and creative arts as vital contributors to Ghana’s economic transformation.