Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC), has called on queen mothers nationwide to be vehicles for development and help bring the needed socio-economic growth to their communities.

She urged them not only to see themselves as kingmakers, custodians of tradition and folklore but nation builders who promote culture, peace, human dignity and development with a focus on women, girls and children. 

Madam Dzifa Gomashie made the call when leaders and members of the Ghana National Association of Queenmothers also known as Unity Queens, met the Minister in Accra, and discussed issues of women empowerment, growth, development and violence against women.

The Minister said queenmothers had over the years demonstrated commitment and resilience in advocating for an end to female genital mutilation, child marriage and removal of taxes on sanitary pads amongst others, through their platforms. 

The Minister, who is also a member of the association, said: “We want to promote the 16 Regions and what the Queenmothers can do for us is to be the vehicle through which all communications are disseminated amongst our people.” 

She said Ghana’s strength within the tourism landscape had been her culture, tradition and creative arts and these elements had been the country’s tourism products and which must be promoted by all including the Queenmothers.

“Our strength is really in our culture and heritage so as custodians who are better to advance these processes than our Queenmothers,” Madam Dzifa Gomashie added. 

She encouraged them to pass on tradition and culture onto the younger generation, adding that the Tourism Ministry would collaborate with the Trade, Education and Local Government and Chieftaincy Ministries to empower the queenmothers to promote women and girls in businesses and education. 

Nana Adwoa Ankyaa Awindor, Founder, Ghana National Association of Queenmothers, commended the Minister for her unflinching support over the years and on her appointment as Tourism Minister. 

She said the association had played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s social landscape in advocating on critical issues affecting children, women and youth and providing solutions to child marriage, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, human trafficking and menstrual hygiene among others. 

“Our commitment remains steadfast, we are poised to champion socioeconomic growth, financial empowerment, community development, preserving tradition and culture to ensure they remained relevant and dynamic in today’s world,” she said. 

The queenmothers gave out a set of clothes which was packaged in a silver-laden box to the Minister, who returned the kind gesture by supporting the association with Gh¢5,000.