Queenmothers welcome Minister of Tourism

The National Association of Queenmothers (GHUNIQ) has paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie.

The delegation, led by the Nkosuo Hemaa of Afigya Kwabre traditional area, Nana Adwoa Ankyaa Awindor, went to welcome the minister to her new role and to offer their support to her.

Delegation

The delegation was made up of queenmothers from various parts of the country, including the Paramount Queen of the Ada Traditional Area and President of the Unity Queens, Ghana, Naana Kabukuor Dumaaley I; the flag bearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and Chairperson of the Advisory Board for Unity Queens Ghana, Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankuma; Okyeman Nkosuo Hemaa, Nana Dr K.D Duah; and the Paramount Queen of Sokpoe Traditional Area, Mamaga Adzesu II.

The minister’s team included the Chief Director of the ministry, John Yao Agbeko; the Director for Culture and Creative Arts, Divine Owusu-Ansah; the Director of Human Resource Management, V. Otto Langmagne, and the Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management, Mabel Cudjoe.

Nana Adwoa Awindor congratulated the minister on her appointment, reaffirmed the commitment of the association to national progress, and introduced the newly reconstituted body as a unified force for advocacy and development.

She emphasised its mission to empower women and adolescents while preserving Ghana’s rich traditions and culture. “Our commitment remains steadfast—educating, impacting and empowering women, adolescents, and children while championing socio-economic growth and community development,” she said.

She also called for a stronger collaboration between GHUNIQ and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts to promote cultural tourism and indigenous arts as tools for national development.

“We strongly believe that under your leadership, Ghana’s rich traditions, arts, and cultural assets will be harnessed to empower local communities, create sustainable livelihoods, and position Ghana as a global cultural hub,” she told the minister.

Role of queenmothers

Ms Gomashie emphasised the critical role of queenmothers in promoting Ghana’s tourism and preserving cultural heritage. She described them as key communicators and agents of change within their communities.

“What the queenmothers can do for us is to be the vehicle through which all kinds of communications that we want to share are disseminated among our people,” she stated.

She highlighted their historical contributions to advocacy efforts, including campaigns for gender equality and social justice.

The minister also celebrated the government’s commitment to menstrual health, particularly President John Dramani Mahama’s initiative to fund the distribution of sanitary pads for female students.

She acknowledged the queen mothers’ long-standing advocacy in this area. 

“We have the opportunity to live in this era and hear the Minister for Finance announce that His Excellency the President has decided that there should be an amount of money set aside for the purchase of sanitary towels to be distributed in communities for our girls.

The queenmothers are happy, as I am,” she said. She further commended their contributions to ending child marriage, female genital mutilation and other harmful practices.

Beyond tourism, Hon. Gomashie called for a shift in societal perceptions of gender roles. She encouraged women to embrace leadership opportunities and move beyond traditional limitations.

“We have to unlearn some of the things that we were taught as children and embrace what has become the new normal.

Now we have signed and ratified a lot of conventions that empower women and give them voice and space,” she stated.

She cited Ghana’s affirmative action bill as a step in the right direction and urged women to support one another in breaking barriers.

As parting gifts, the National Association of Queenmothers presented Ms Gomashie with some items including bundles of cloths, while the minister also made a cash donation to the group.