The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) has held an orientation programme for Heads of Agencies and their Deputies aimed at strengthening leadership alignment, governance standards and strategic coordination across institutions under the Ministry.

The opening ceremony, held on January 29, 2026, at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra, brought together agency heads, their deputies and senior management officials from the tourism, culture and creative arts sector.

Opening the programme, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described the orientation as a timely platform to renew shared understanding, clarify leadership roles and ensure that agency leadership remains responsive to evolving national and global developments within the sector. She noted that since the last orientation, significant changes had taken place, making it necessary to reconvene leadership to strengthen collective strategic action.

Hon. Gomashie stressed that public service leadership operates within clearly defined legal, regulatory and administrative frameworks, and that effectiveness depends on a clear understanding of, and strict adherence to, these structures. She emphasised the need to distinguish between the roles of governing boards and management, explaining that while boards are responsible for providing strategic direction, ensuring sound corporate governance and upholding accountability, they must not interfere in the day-to-day management of institutions.

According to the Minister, strong collaboration and mutual respect between boards and management are essential for institutional stability, operational efficiency and the achievement of sector objectives. She explained that the orientation was designed to clarify leadership responsibilities, enhance compliance with governance and financial management standards, and promote coordinated action among agencies, particularly those with overlapping mandates in the culture and creative arts space.

She urged participants to engage fully with the programme and apply the lessons to improve institutional performance, stressing that leadership accountability and performance measurement are central to the Ministry’s vision. Hon. Gomashie further called for the outcomes of the orientation to translate into measurable results that support national development in line with the vision of President John Dramani Mahama.

The Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Joseph K. Amoah, highlighted the unique challenges of public sector work and the need for leaders to effectively deploy experience, skills and resources to justify public investment. He thanked participants for their commitment and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to continuous capacity building and effective public sector management.

The orientation featured presentations by experienced facilitators, including the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson at the Office of the President, Shamima Muslim; Michael Adu-Darku, Esq., of the Public Services Commission; and Surveyor Dr Nana Agyemang Frimpong. The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Yussif Issaka Jajah, was also present in support of the Sector Minister.

The programme forms part of MoTCCA’s broader efforts to strengthen leadership capacity, promote professionalism and ensure the effective delivery of its mandate across all agencies under its supervision.