Accra: Some tourism and hospitality industry players have expressed dissatisfaction over the omission of Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, from Cabinet. This comes after President John Dramani Mahama, in conformity with Article 76 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, constituted his 19-Member Cabinet on February 20, 2025.

According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Edward Ackah Nyamike Jnr, the President of the Ghana Hotels Association, questioned this decision, noting that previous governments since President John Agyekum Kufuor's tenure had included tourism ministers in their cabinets. Dr. Nyamike expressed concern over the change, stating, "This has been a source of worry to me, and I am sure also a worry for some industry players, so I will wish that we receive some explanation of why the tourism ministry has been left out of cabinet."

Dr. Nyamike highlighted that tourism is influenced by various sectors, including food, roads, health, education, internet connectivity, and transport. He expressed surprise at the exclusion, suggesting that the versatility of tourism may be underestimated by the current cabinet. He emphasized the importance of the tourism minister's presence in cabinet to push for an agenda that affects every aspect of society, saying, "If you have a tourist deciding to come to Ghana, the tourist will think about security, accommodation, transportation, connectivity, health, water, food, almost everything."

Dr. Nyamike Jnr further noted that a cabinet position would enable the tourism minister to influence government decisions regarding other sectors and their impact on the tourism industry. The 1992 Constitution requires the President to have a Cabinet of no fewer than 10 and not more than 19 ministers. President Mahama's Cabinet includes ministers from various sectors such as Finance, Interior, Defence, Health, and others, but notably excludes the tourism ministry.