Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Member of Parliament for Ketu South, has announced that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with her ministry, will soon reintroduce Cultural Studies into the national school curriculum. She explained that the initiative aims to preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage and instill traditional values in future generations.
The announcement was made during her keynote address at the Grand Durbar of the Homowo Festival in Great Ningo, where she represented H.E. President John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour.
Addressing a large gathering of chiefs, elders, and community members, Hon. Gomashie emphasized that cultural education is essential to national identity and development. She noted that the reintroduction of Cultural Studies would complement ongoing educational reforms, including the repositioning of STEM and TVET education, the promotion of digital literacy, and the expansion of Creative Arts education.
The theme of this year’s Homowo Festival, “Education: The Best Legacy for Our Children,” received strong endorsement from the Minister, who described it as timely and aligned with the government’s educational transformation agenda. She encouraged the youth to embrace education not only as a tool for personal advancement but also as a means of preserving values such as patience, wisdom, and hard work—virtues she said lie at the heart of the Homowo celebration.
In her speech, Hon. Gomashie also underscored the broader importance of cultural festivals like Homowo, describing them as vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. She said such festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.
Hon. Gomashie commended the people of Great Ningo for their commitment to organizing and celebrating the Homowo Festival, which was held from August 16 to September 6. She explained that the festival commemorates the end of hunger and the arrival of a successful harvest season, symbolizing the resilience and perseverance of the Ga-Dangme people. Addressing the youth directly, she reminded them that “success does not come in a day,” urging them to value the hard-earned lessons passed down by their ancestors.
Also speaking at the durbar was Hon. Sam Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation. He commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival and announced that a new nursing training school will soon be constructed in Ningo, as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare education in the region.
The event was attended by several eminent traditional leaders and dignitaries, including His Royal Majesty paramount Chief of great Ningo traditional area, Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, His Royal Majesty King Dr. Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo, and Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who represented the Chief of Staff. A host of other distinguished guests and community members were also present to support the Homowo Grand Durbar.
Source : Delassie Mabel Awuku-PR Unit-MoTCCA
