The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, has charged governing board chairpersons of agencies under the Ministry to work closely with management to promote growth, efficiency and institutional renewal.

Speaking at a training programme for Governing Board Chairpersons in Accra, the Minister said their supervisory responsibilities must align with President John Dramani Mahama’s reset agenda, which seeks to ensure prudent use of state resources and sustained development across the tourism, culture and creative arts sectors.

“You are to foster collaborations, increase productivity, and enhance operations, encouraging diversity, helping to raise funds where needed, and ensuring the prudent management of state resources,” she said.

Ms Gomashie, however, clarified that board chairpersons are not expected to interfere in the day-to-day administration of the institutions they oversee.

“You’re also not expected to be involved in the day-to-day running of the institutions that you chair,” she explained.

She stressed that decisions taken at the board level must be guided by the broader vision of the government and the President’s national development agenda.

“Whatever it is that we put our minds to, and whatever it is that each institution is supposed to do, must all have the focus of the President and government at the forefront. President Mahama says he’s resetting Ghana. So whatever you decide to help your institutions with, it is to help the institution to reset and also fit into the national scheme of things,” she stated.

The Minister also clarified the limits of her direct involvement, as well as that of her deputy, in board activities.

“The Minister and her deputy only get involved in board activities to provide oversight and backstopping. For instance, during the ‘Oobake’ issue, I was not even in the country. Yet, because the word added was in Ewe, many assumed that, as an Ewe speaker, I had directed the discussion,” she said.

She further addressed the recent incident involving two men kissing under the Independence Arch, noting that questions had been filed in Parliament requesting her explanation.

“I have submitted my response and expect to address it formally in the upcoming sitting,” she added.