By Issah Olegor
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has come under public scrutiny after she was noticeably absent from the high-profile candlelight vigil held in honour of legendary highlife musician Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, on the night of August 2 at the Independence Square in Accra.
Her absence was initially explained by close associates as being due to bereavement, with reports indicating that the minister is in mourning and preparing for the final funeral rites of her late father.
Many, including members of her political party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), defended her absence, urging critics to respect her private grief.
However, less than 24 hours after the vigil, photos emerged showing the minister in full attendance at the launch of Nkrumahfest 2025—a government-backed cultural event held at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra.
The juxtaposition of these two events has raised eyebrows and sparked a heated public conversation online and within the arts community.
Critics Question Minister’s Priorities
Critics argue that her participation in the Nkrumahfest launch contradicts earlier claims of unavailability due to mourning.
“If she had the time and presence of mind to attend a state event like Nkrumahfest, why was she absent at a vigil honouring a national music icon?” one critc questioned.
Some have gone further, suggesting that her absence was deliberate and may reflect personal or political biases within the cultural leadership of the country.
“Was it that she simply didn’t value Daddy Lumba’s contributions to the arts enough to be there? Or is there more beneath the surface?” another commentator asked.
Others, however, continue to defend the minister, noting that attendance at official government events may be considered part of her official duties and not necessarily a sign that she is not mourning.
“Nkrumahfest is a national program under her ministry—it may have been unavoidable,” an NDC youth organizer noted on social media.
Nkrumahfest Launch, a Major Government Event
The launch of Nkrumahfest 2025, spearheaded by Ellembelle MP Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, marked the beginning of a national celebration in honour of Ghana’s first President,
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The festival, which is scheduled to run from September 15 to 22, is a flagship event that draws participation from across Africa and the diaspora.
The opening ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including ministers, members of parliament, traditional authorities, and international guests.
Dzifa Gomashie was seen interacting with guests, posing for photographs, and actively participating in the program—raising further questions about her ability to balance her mourning with public responsibilities.
A Call for Transparency
The controversy has underscored a broader issue of public expectations of transparency and consistency from public officials—especially in the emotionally charged cultural space.
Given Daddy Lumba’s revered status as a musical legend who shaped Ghana’s soundscape over four decades, many expected the Minister of Creative Arts to have at least made a symbolic appearance at the vigil.
While no official statement has yet been issued by the ministry or the minister herself, calls are growing louder for her to clarify the circumstances surrounding her absence.
A Divided Public
The episode has divided opinion, with some accusing critics of politicizing a private matter while others insist public figures must be held to a higher standard when it comes to cultural representation.
