After assuming workplace on 7 January 2025, President John Dramani Mahama has made vital appointments within the inventive arts business as a part of his dedication to revitalising the sector.
Thus far, President Mahama has appointed six outstanding leisure figures from the movie and music industries to serve in his administration.
Listed below are the six personalities and their respective roles:
John Setor Dumelo
John Dumelo, the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, was appointed on 5 February 2025 because the Deputy Minister of Meals and Agriculture.
He’s each an actor and a farmer by occupation.
John Dumelo holds three grasp’s levels. He earned his second grasp’s from the Ghana Institute of Administration and Public Administration (GIMPA) in 2022. In 2024, he obtained his third grasp’s diploma in Regulation (Pure Assets) from the College of Ghana Regulation College.
He beforehand earned a level in Civil Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah College of Science and Know-how (KNUST).
Dumelo will work alongside the Minister of Meals and Agriculture, Eric Opoku.
Abla Dzifa Gomashie
Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, was appointed on 16 January 2025 because the Minister of Tourism, Tradition, and Inventive Arts.
The actress-turned-politician beforehand served as Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tradition, and Inventive Arts below Mahama’s administration from 2013 to 2017.
Dzifa Gomashie is a inventive arts knowledgeable with over 4 a long time of expertise within the movie business. She holds an MPhil in African Research from the Institute of African Research, a diploma in Theatre Arts, and a bachelor’s diploma in Theatre Administration from the College of Ghana.
Abeiku Santana
Media persona and tourism advocate, Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, popularly identified within the showbiz house as Abeiku Santana, has been appointed because the Deputy Chief Govt Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
Abeiku Santana’s appointment was introduced by the presidency on 26 February 2025.
He holds a grasp’s diploma from the College of Ghana Enterprise College and has intensive expertise in media, advertising, and tourism advocacy.
Abeiku Santana has been a passionate promoter of Ghana’s tourism sector, utilizing his media platforms to showcase the nation’s wealthy cultural heritage, festivals, and hospitality business.
He’s additionally an authorized tourism advisor and has performed a key position in main tourism campaigns resembling The 12 months of Return and Past the Return, which have considerably boosted Ghana’s worldwide profile.
Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD)
Kofi Okyere-Darko, extensively referred to as KOD, is a famend Ghanaian style icon and media persona with over a decade of expertise within the inventive business.
On 26 February 2025, President Mahama appointed him because the Director of Diaspora Affairs on the Workplace of the President.
KOD has labored with main media shops resembling Dwell FM, ETV Ghana, and GHOne. His affect within the style business has earned him each native and worldwide recognition.
He’s additionally a profitable entrepreneur and the founding father of Rhythms on Da Runway, an annual style present that celebrates African creativity and showcases the continent’s vibrant style business.
Rex Omar
Highlife legend Rex Owusu Marfo, popularly referred to as Rex Omar, has been appointed as a Presidential Staffer to supervise the Black Star Expertise initiative.
His appointment was made official on 27 February 2025.
James Gardiner
Ghanaian actor James Gardiner has been appointed because the Deputy Govt Secretary of the Nationwide Movie Authority (NFA).
Gardiner, who started his appearing profession within the early 2000s, has featured in each native and worldwide movies.
With over a decade within the business, he has undoubtedly made his mark within the leisure sector and is anticipated to contribute considerably to the event of Ghana’s movie business in his new position.