Dzifa Gomashie at the 47th Graduation Ceremony and Exhibition of the EKGS Culinary Institute
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has underscored the critical role of the culinary and gastronomy sector in driving Ghana’s economic growth, job creation and tourism development, calling on young people, especially men, to embrace the profession without cultural bias.
She was speaking at the 47th Graduation Ceremony and Exhibition of the EKGS Culinary Institute, held under the theme “Developing Culinary Capital: Shaping Ghana’s Economic Growth Through Creative Skills and Innovation.”
Gomashie praised the leadership of EKGS and its founder, Efua Otuwa Goode Obeng Kyei, for empowering thousands of Ghanaians, particularly women, through skills development and entrepreneurship.
She noted that the culinary sector holds immense potential to open economic opportunities for young people, stressing that cooking and creative skills should not be stereotyped as gender-specific.
Drawing on Ghana’s recent success at UNESCO, where both Kete and Highlife were inscribed as intangible cultural heritage alongside Italy’s pizza, the minister emphasised that food, like music and dance, is a powerful cultural and economic asset capable of generating income and global recognition.
She revealed that EKGS has trained over 8,600 students, describing the institute’s growth from an initial class of six students as a clear example of nation-building through skills development.
She further highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to positioning Ghana as a leading cultural and culinary tourism destination under the Black Star Experience, citing initiatives such as the Afro Gastro Fair, which brought together 14 African and Afro-descendant countries and has attracted the African Union’s interest for future editions.
The Minister urged graduates to uphold professionalism, innovation, customer service and ethical conduct as they enter the industry, reminding them that quality service and originality are essential for success in a competitive global market.
In her address, Efua Otuwa Goode Obeng Kyei, Founder and CEO of EKGS Culinary Institute, described the graduation as more than a ceremony, calling it a celebration of resilience, creativity and transformation.
She said culinary arts should be recognised as serious economic capital with strong links across agriculture, tourism, hospitality, manufacturing and SMEs.
Obeng Kyei disclosed that for over 27 years, EKGS has trained more than 8,000 students, many of whom now run successful businesses locally and internationally.
She stressed that culinary education is not a second option but a viable pathway to innovation, entrepreneurship and national development, urging greater investment in technical and vocational education.
The ceremony brought together families, industry stakeholders and policymakers, including the Director for Tourism at the Ministry, Dr Geoffrey Tamakloe, as graduates showcased their culinary, pastry, floral and creative works, reinforcing the growing importance of Ghana’s creative economy.
