Dzifa Gomashie and Mark Okraku-Mantey
In the midst of heightened discussions about Mark Okraku-Mantey’s ‘unsatisfactory’ performance as Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, we reflect on what Dzifa Gomashie said about the role of a “Deputy Minister” some time ago.
In a three-year-old interview with CitiTV, Dzifa Gomashie, who was once a former Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, addressed the criticisms surrounding Mark Okraku-Mantey’s performance at the time.
She asked that people cut him some slack.
Dzifa Gomashie described the position of Deputy Minister as a “token” role, explaining that anyone in that position isn’t empowered to make decisions, even if their suggestions are what needs to be done.
“It’s good to be in there but it’s a token. As a Deputy Minister, you don’t make the decisions. I’m wishing Mark well because you don’t take the decisions, and it doesn’t matter if what you’re saying is what should be done,” she said.
She also questioned how one representative from the creative arts industry could be assigned to a “complimentary” deputy minister role, yet people expect him to completely turn things around overnight.
“This whole industry, one person sits in the Deputy Minister role and you think they can change what? No! It’s an institutionalized problem of not placing value on the sector. It’s not about one individual sitting there,” she added.
She continued, “I ask again, when did we have a ministry that included creative arts?”
Since Mark Okraku-Mantey assumed office in January 2021, expectations had been high.
Many stakeholders believed that having one of their own in charge would finally bring positive change to the long-neglected arts and tourism industry.
However, things took a different turn as their long list of expectations, in their perspective, were not met to their satisfaction.
They cited neglect, empty promises, sabotage, and even bitterness toward Okraku-Mantey until he left office.
Despite the criticism, many also defended him, stating that he only sides with his boss on decisions rather than making them.
Others have said he should be credited for boosting the tourism sector, doing a good job with the Year of Return initiative, attracting investors, collaborating with international stakeholders such as Global Citizen, and many others, giving Ghana’s tourism a facelift.
Nana Aba Anamoah’s recent outburst, in which she described Mark Okraku-Mantey’s performance as “zilch” and stated that he doesn’t deserve to be called “Honourable,” sparked this conversation around his tenure.
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