How Dzifa Gomashie turned Ghana's heritage into our economic fortress

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• IS OLD BUSES REBRANDING A HERITAGE TO INCOME? 20 hours ago

  HOW CAN SOMEONE WHO REBRANDED OLD BUSES WITH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAX PAYERS TURN HERITAGE INOT ECONOMIC FORTRESS? APUUUU!

  HOW CAN SOMEONE WHO REBRANDED OLD BUSES WITH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAX PAYERS TURN HERITAGE INOT ECONOMIC FORTRESS? APUUUU!

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• Kwame 18 hours ago

  You don't know the difference between Dzifa Ativor and Dxifa Gomashie. They aren't the same. Dzifa Ativior has passed. She's the Minister of Transport. This is the Minister of Tourism.

  You don't know the difference between Dzifa Ativor and Dxifa Gomashie. They aren't the same. Dzifa Ativior has passed. She's the Minister of Transport. This is the Minister of Tourism.

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• Dodzi 19 hours ago

  This write up is another glaring example of a hit piece.

  This write up is another glaring example of a hit piece.

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• Mosey 30 minutes ago

  I came across this article by Raymond Ablorh which presents a glowing review of Abla Dzifa Gomashie’s tenure.
  
  I will be focusing on the gap between high-level policy rhetoric and the physical reality of Ghana’s herita ...
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  I came across this article by Raymond Ablorh which presents a glowing review of Abla Dzifa Gomashie’s tenure.
  
  I will be focusing on the gap between high-level policy rhetoric and the physical reality of Ghana’s heritage sites, as well as concerns regarding administrative discipline.
  
  1. The Decay of Physical Heritage
  
  The Ministry is celebrating "data" and "indicators," while Ghana’s actual monumental sites—the bedrock of tourism continue to face systemic neglect.
  
  - Museums of Rot: While major forts like Ussher and James received attention in 2025, dozens of other UNESCO World Heritage forts and traditional Ashanti buildings remain in a state of advanced decay. Many are suffering from structural instability, encroachment, and lack of basic amenities for tourists. A visit to any of our tourists sites outside the capital will give a clearer picture.
  
  - Surface-Level Restoration: I state that "reopening ceremonies" often mask superficial renovations that do not address long-term conservation needs, leading to a cycle of "restore and neglect" rather than sustainable maintenance.
  
  2. Disregard for Executive Directives
  
  An effective minister must operate within the collective responsibility of the cabinet. However, reports have suggested a pattern of insubordination:
  
  Ignoring Presidential Timelines: There have been instances where specific directives from the President intended to fast-track tourism infrastructure or streamline creative arts regulations were delayed or altered by the Ministry. This suggests a "silo" mentality where the Ministry operates independently of the President’s broader economic synchronization.
  
  Budgetary Friction: While she secured funds, critics argue that the manner in which these funds were lobbied for bypassed established protocols, creating friction within the Economic Management Team and leading to accusations that she prioritizes "pet projects" over the President’s national priorities.
  
  3. Rhetoric vs. Reality for the "Struggling Artist
  
  The claim that she transformed the "struggling artist" into a "sovereign entrepreneur" is viewed by some as elitist branding.
  
  Bureaucratic Barriers: The push for formal registration and "business-led modalities" has been criticized for alienating grassroots creatives who lack the resources to navigate complex government bureaucracy.
  
  Inequitable Funding: There are concerns that the GH₵20 million Creative Arts Fund is inaccessible to those outside the capital or those without political connections, meaning the "banquet" mentioned in the article is only being enjoyed by a small circle of industry insiders.
  
  4. Failure of the "Data" Approach
  
  While the Tourist Satellite Account (TSA) sounds impressive on paper, skeptics argue it is a "distraction of spreadsheets."
  
  Misplaced Priorities: Resources spent on statistical modeling and UNESCO indicators could have been better utilized for basic sanitation at tourist sites or improving the treacherous roads leading to major attractions.
  
  Inflated Statistics: Critics often challenge the GDP contribution figures (such as the $2.42 billion from fashion), arguing that these numbers are often inflated or captured from activities that the Ministry had very little hand in actually facilitating.
  
  Conclusion
  
  From this perspective, Dzifa Gomashie’s tenure is seen not as a "fortress" of economic strength, but as a "potemkin village" a facade of success built on international awards and glossy reports, while the physical history of Ghana rots and the administrative hierarchy is undermined by a lack of discipline.
  
  Regards
  Concerned Citizen

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