Excerpt
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) of Ghana is a pivotal government institution dedicated to the sustainable development and promotion of tourism, arts, and culture, aiming to accelerate national development. Established in 1993, the ministry has undergone various transformations to enhance its effectiveness in policy formulation and implementation.
Mandate and Functions
MoTAC’s core mandate is to facilitate the interface between the government and implementing bodies in tourism, culture, and the creative industries, as well as international civil society partners. Its primary functions include:
- Formulating policies, plans, and programs related to tourism, arts, and culture.
- Promulgating legislation and regulations to govern these sectors.
- Conducting research into regional and global trends to inform policy decisions.
- Developing human resources within both private and public sectors.
- Coordinating and collaborating with other government agencies and development partners.
- Developing policies and programs to engage with Africans, including Ghanaians in the diaspora.
- Monitoring and evaluating the performance of the tourism, arts, and culture sectors.
Organizational Structure and Leadership
MoTAC operates through thirteen key implementing agencies, each responsible for specific aspects of tourism, arts, and culture. These agencies include:
- Ghana Tourism Authority
- Ghana Museums and Monuments Board
- National Theatre of Ghana
- National Commission on Culture
- Ghana Tourism Development Company
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
- W.E.B. Du Bois Centre
- Hotel Catering and Tourism Training Institute
- Bureau of Ghana Languages
- National Folklore Board
- Pan African Writers Association
- National Film Authority
- Creative Arts Agency
The ministry is headed by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, appointed by the President and approved by Parliament. As of January 2025, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie serves as the sector minister. Supporting the minister is a deputy minister and a chief director, along with directors overseeing various departments such as Human Resource Management, Research, Statistics and Information Management, Finance and Administration, and Tourism.
Mode of Appointment and Recruitment
The leadership of MoTAC, including the minister and deputy minister, are appointed by the President of Ghana and subsequently vetted and approved by Parliament. Other positions within the ministry and its agencies are filled through the standard recruitment processes of the Ghanaian civil service, which typically involve public advertisements, competitive examinations, and interviews to ensure merit-based appointments.
Collaborations and Partnerships
MoTAC collaborates with various governmental and non-governmental organizations to fulfill its mandate. Key partnerships include working with the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), international cultural organizations, and private sector stakeholders to promote and develop tourism, arts, and culture in Ghana.
Constitutional Reforms
While specific constitutional reforms directly affecting MoTAC are not detailed, the ministry continually reviews and updates policies and legislation to align with national development goals and global best practices. This includes the recent passage of the Film Bill to modernize the legal framework governing the creative arts sector.
Achievements
Over the years, MoTAC has spearheaded several initiatives to boost tourism and culture in Ghana. Notable achievements include:
ExploreGhana Project:
- Launched in 2014 to stimulate domestic tourism, this initiative has significantly increased local interest in Ghana’s tourist attractions.
National Festival for Arts & Culture (NAFAC):
- The ministry restructured NAFAC to celebrate and promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
Passage of the Film Bill:
- MoTAC led the passage of the Film Bill, replacing the outdated 1961 Act, to provide a modern legislative framework for the film and television industry.
Year of Return Initiative:
- In 2019, the ministry organized the “Year of Return” to commemorate 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in the Americas. This initiative attracted around one million visitors and boosted the economy by an estimated $1.9 billion.
Reference
- https://www.motac.gov.gh/about-us/
- https://gna.org.gh/2025/01/tourism-minister-dzifa-gomashie-engages-heads-of-agencies/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Ofosu-Adjare
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana_Tourism_Authority
- https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/republic/motcca.php
- https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghanas-tourism-leadership-can-kobby-mensah-and-marilyn-houadjeto-deliver-the-mandate/
- https://gna.org.gh/2025/01/tourism-minister-dzifa-gomashie-engages-heads-of-agencies/
- https://www.myjoyonline.com/who-becomes-mahamas-minister-for-tourism-arts-and-culture/
- https://unescoghana.gov.gh/meeting-with-chief-director-for-ministry-of-tourism-arts-and-culture/
- https://www.motac.gov.gh/about-us/management-team/
- https://ndpc.gov.gh/media/Ministry_of_Tourism_APR_2018.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Tourism%2C_Arts_%26_Culture
- https://www.motac.gov.gh/ghana-tourism-authority-gta/