Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Upper West Region to prioritise tourism development in their respective districts to boost local economic growth.
Addressing MMDCEs in Wa on Friday, May 15, 2026, the Minister said the current administration has increased the percentage of the District Assemblies Common Fund allocated to assemblies, giving them greater financial capacity to undertake development projects, including tourism promotion.
“What is important for me is for the appointees of His Excellency, the President, to understand that he has shifted how things are done in government,” she said.
According to the Minister, assemblies previously received between 40 and 45 per cent of the common fund, but the allocation has now been increased to 80 per cent.
“He [President John Dramani Mahama] has given you more power to do more,” she stated.
She encouraged the MMDCEs to dedicate part of their resources to identifying and developing tourism sites within their jurisdictions, stressing that the Ministry has the expertise to support such initiatives.
“My suggestion is, because your budgets are now bigger than mine, that you take an interest in the tourism potential in your community. We have the expertise, and we will help you promote it,” she added.
The Minister further disclosed that her entourage included bloggers and content creators tasked with showcasing tourism opportunities in the Upper West Region.
“Part of my entourage includes bloggers. I sent Goshers ahead of me, and he’s been talking about the region and visiting the tourist sites that we have,” she noted.
As part of efforts to promote the traditional fugu attire locally and internationally, the Minister is also expected to confer the title of Fugu Ambassador on Noella Wiyaala.
