The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts-designate, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has indicated that she will reduce taxes in the tourism sector when given the mandate to serve as a substantive minister.
During her vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Abla Dzifa Gomashie noted that high taxes in the tourism sector are affecting the ministry.
She explained that for the industry to thrive, Ghanaians, both in the private and public sectors, should work together and deal with huge taxes.
“Taxes have been the cry of the hospitality industry from way back when I used to MC their events, and I was not even in the ministry as their deputy minister. It is an issue that we must collectively deal with. I overheard the Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, during his vetting saying he has studied the economy very well and has a fair idea of how he will help us as a country restructure it. So, I will tag along with him and I will lobby him vigorously,” she said.
Abla Dzifa Gomashie also noted that she will work assiduously to improve the infrastructure capacity in the hospitality sector.
“This is an unending discussion, especially where hotel rates are concerned. Even hotels that franchise in another country, ours tend to be very high comparatively. So, I agree with you about the lack of infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the world and country is there in our faces.
“Apart from engaging with the Minister of Finance, I think that everybody listening to me who can engage with the private sector both in and out of Ghana to ensure we improve our infrastructure capacity, you are welcome to engage with me. And if I get your nod, this is an issue we will deal with,” she added.
Dzifa Gomashie went before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, for her vetting, which will determine her confirmation as the substantive Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts.
She was nominated for the position on January 16, 2025, in a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
Having served as Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture under the Mahama administration from 2013 to 2017, Dzifa Gomashie is also a two-term Member of Parliament for the Ketu South Constituency, where she has championed development and community empowerment initiatives.
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