Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie has shared a story of her humble beginnings, revealing how she hawked handmade crafts and jewellery as a youth to finance her education.
Speaking to journalists while inspecting artisanal jewellery displays at the maiden Black Star Fashion Week (BSFW) 2026 in Accra, Gomashie recounted her early hustle at the Arts Centre following her secondary school education in the 1980s.
"Do you know I used to sell these things when I was young? Mabr3 ooo [I have suffered]. I used to sell these things at the Arts Centre in the 80s when I left secondary school. I needed money to go back to school so I used to sell crafts and jewellery for money," she shared.
She said this at the launch of Black Star Fashion Week 2026—an initiative spearheaded by the Black Star Experience Secretariat under the Office of the President to elevate Ghanaian fashion, craft, and creative heritage on the global stage.
Organised as part of broader national efforts to leverage culture, fashion, and the arts to drive tourism and economic growth, BSFW 2026 serves as a major platform for local creators and fashion entrepreneurs.
Held across Accra and Akosombo under the theme #PutGhanaOn, the multi-day festival brings together designers, artisans, and cultural stakeholders to spotlight local talent and expand international market access.
‘I have suffered’ - Dzifa Gomashie has recounted her early days where she used to sell crafts before attending school #ghanaweb #ghanawebtv https://t.co/lF3xDAgNqj
— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) November 4, 2026 ID/AM