Member of Parliament (MP)
Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie
Honorable Abla Dzifa Gomashie, is the recent past Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in Ghana (2013-2017), a queen mother in charge of protocol in the Aflao Traditional area of Ghana, a veteran Actress, Producer, Writer, Poet and Entrepreneur and CEO – Values for Life Ghana. Ms. Gomashie holds a Master of Philosophy (2005–2008) in African Studies, from the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (2000-2003) with First Class Honors from the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, and a Diploma in Theatre Arts (1994-1998) from the same University.
Abla Dzifa Gomashie has a passion for the Creative Arts and Culture in Ghana and throughout Africa, and has dedicated nearly all her adult life to projecting and promoting same. As Deputy Minister, Gomashie was guided by Ghana’s Cultural Policy Document, dedicated to the realization of the Vision of the people of Ghana to respect preserve, harness, and use their cultural heritage and resources to develop a united, vibrant and prosperous national community with distinctive African identity and personality and a collective confidence and pride among the comity of Nations. Ms. Gomashie brought her wealth of experience in the Culture and Creative Arts to the appointment both within Ghana and internationally.
Prior to her appointment as the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa worked as the Chief Executive of Values for Life (VFL-GHANA), a non-governmental organization that provides various social systems to help improve the lives of Children, Youth and Women in Ghana through the Creative and Performing Arts, Culture and Traditional Heritage, Tourism and Digital Innovations.
She has Produced, Directed and Narrated many Ghanaian Television Productions including the popular storytelling program, By the Fireside, where she focused on socio-cultural issues for the benefit of children, reviving and preserving the art of storytelling.
She was also the host of ‘AGYA PA’, a television show which focused on the celebration of Ghanaian male role models as fathers and professionals.
Dzifa has worked in the Creative Arts industry for nearly three decades and has received multiple administrative and artistic awards both nationally and internationally, for her work. On March 7, 2016, the City Council of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania honored and recognized the minister for her lifelong commitment to the developmental growth of Ghana through her international promotion of Ghanaian Arts and Culture and the Autism Society of Ghana (ASOG), who made her their life patron, for being a source of encouragement to parents of children living with autism.
She is the Country Representative of the Continental African Queens and Women Cultural Leaders Network (AQWCLN) a not-for-profit organization of female cultural leaders who use their peculiar position to advance the UN Development Goals and the promotion of the work of UNAIDs and UN Women.
Dzifa is an extremely popular personality in Ghana, and is known for her humble disposition and unyielding promotion of anything Ghanaian. Her passion is to work closely with relevant stakeholders to promote the Creative Arts and increase its contribution to Ghana’s GDP.
Lastly, she is currently a Culture and Creative Arts Consultant and back with Values for Life Ghana (VFL-Ghana) as the Chief Executive Director.