A tourism minister doesn’t necessarily have to come from the creative industry - Nana Frimpong Zigah

Entertainment pundit, Nana Frimpong Zigah, has declared his stance on the current discussions in the media space with regards the appointment of the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

In a discussion on United Showbiz on UTV on January 11, 2025, Nana Frimpong Zigah noted that it is not mandatory for an industry person to be appointed to such a position.

Citing the outgoing Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture as an example, Zigah indicated that Andrew Agyapa Mercer wasn’t from the creative arts industry but did exemplary work when appointed as a minister.

"Appointment of the creative arts minister shouldn’t necessarily have to come from someone within the creative arts industry. George Quaye was saying something like that, and I am happy it’s coming from him. If Agyapa Mercer had been in the tourism ministry earlier, a lot of things would have changed by now.

"We can get someone who doesn’t have any idea about the creative arts ministry, and he can do the consultation and yet come out as the best," he said.

Zigah also indicated, rather controversially, that president-elect who held the State Sword with two hands has served two continuous terms in office after doing so.

"No president-elect who used his two hands to swear with the State Sword has been able to serve two terms continuously. I am saying that President Rawlings in 1993 and 1997 with one hand and the same thing applied to President Kufuor in 2000 and 2004. However, President Mills and Mahama used two hands, and both of them couldn’t go continuously for two terms," he said.

Watch the full video below:

The leader of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture doesn’t necessarily have to come from within the industry - Nana Frimpong Zigah#Unitedshowbiz pic.twitter.com/zIIAK5bcMT

— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) January 12, 2025