Keynote Speaker Global Arts Festival

Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts; Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, Volta Region, Republic of Ghana.

A strong community advocate, in 2012, she was honoured as a Queen Mother in charge of protocol of the Aflao Traditional Area, bearing the stool name Mama Dzramedo 1.

Honourable Abla Dzifa Gomashie (MP) is a distinguished Ghanaian politician, creative arts veteran, and cultural advocate with over four decades of experience in the Creative Industry. She currently serves as Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and is in her second term as Member of Parliament for the Ketu South Constituency in the Volta Region.

An accomplished actress, producer, and scriptwriter, Honourable Gomashie has devoted most of her adult life to the promotion and projection of Ghanaian and African culture.

She has produced and directed notable television productions, including the popular storytelling programme By The Fireside, and has served as a consultant to civil society organisations and state agencies locally and internationally, contributing to policy direction and sector development in arts, culture, and tourism.

She holds a Master of Philosophy in African Studies, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (First Class Honours) and a Diploma in Theatre Arts from the University of Ghana and completed her secondary education at St. Louis Senior High School, Kumasi.

She is the Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Values for Life, a non-governmental organisation promoting creative arts, traditional heritage, tourism, and digital innovation among the youth. Her creative career began in 1985 with Talents Theatre Company where her stage and film credits include, The Blinkards, The Blackstar, Mambo, Chaka, Zulu, Jogolo, The Third Woman, Ghost Tears, House of Pain, and Heart of Gold among others. She has received several awards and citations in recognition of her contribution to Ghana’s Creative Industry.

Politically, Honourable Gomashie is widely regarded as articulate, objective, and well-respected across party lines. She served as Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts from 2013 to 2017 and was appointed Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in January 2025 by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama.

She made history in 2020 as the first female Member of Parliament for Ketu South and was re-elected in December 2024 with 92.9% of the votes. She has served on Parliamentary Committees, including Poverty Reduction, Trade, Industry and Tourism, and the Public Accounts Committee, Gender Committee among others.

Known for her excellent human relations and leadership skills, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie remains committed to working with stakeholders to advance tourism, culture, and the creative arts as key drivers of Ghana’s economic growth and national development.

She is the Chairman of the Regional Specialized Technical Committee of Youth, Sports and Culture of the African Union and the Vice Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee on Reparation.