Tourism Minister urges Queenmothers to drive socioeconomic development

The Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MoTAC), Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has urged queenmothers across the country to become key agents of development and help bring about the needed socioeconomic growth in their communities.

She encouraged them to see themselves not only as kingmakers and custodians of tradition and folklore but also as nation-builders who promote culture, peace, human dignity, and development, with a special focus on women, girls, and children.

Madam Dzifa Gomashie made this call during a meeting with leaders and members of the Ghana National Association of Queenmothers, also known as Unity Queens, in Accra, where they discussed issues related to women’s empowerment, growth, development, and violence against women.

The Minister highlighted the significant role queenmothers have played over the years in advocating for the elimination of harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, and the removal of taxes on sanitary pads, among others, through their platforms.

As a member of the association herself, Madam Dzifa Gomashie stated: “We want to promote the 16 Regions, and what queenmothers can do for us is to be the vehicle through which all communications are disseminated among our people.”

She also emphasized that Ghana’s strength in the tourism sector has been rooted in its rich culture, traditions, and creative arts—elements that have become the country’s tourism products. She called on everyone, including the queenmothers, to help promote and showcase these unique aspects of Ghana’s heritage.

“Our strength is really in our culture and heritage so as custodians who are better to advance these processes than our Queenmothers,” Madam Dzifa Gomashie added.  

She further encouraged the queenmothers to pass down tradition and culture to the younger generation. Additionally, she noted that the Ministry of Tourism would collaborate with the Ministries of Trade, Education, Local Government, and Chieftaincy to empower the queenmothers in promoting women and girls in business and education.

Nana Adwoa Ankyaa Awindor, Founder of the Ghana National Association of Queenmothers, praised the Minister for her unwavering support over the years and congratulated her on her appointment as Minister for Tourism.

She highlighted the significant role the association has played in shaping Ghana’s social landscape, particularly in advocating for critical issues affecting children, women, and youth. 

The association has also been instrumental in providing solutions to challenges such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, human trafficking, and menstrual hygiene.

“Our commitment remains steadfast, we are poised to championing socioeconomic growth, financial empowerment, community development, preserving tradition and culture to ensure they remained relevant and dynamic in today’s world,” she said.