The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has raised concerns over the appointment of the Chairperson of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Board, questioning whether it complies with the Tourism Act, 2011.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page Sunday, June 14, 2026, Awuku cited Section 4(1) of the Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817), which he said “is unambiguous” that the Chairperson of the GTA Board “must come from the private sector.”
He questioned how Ms. Gertrude Emefa Donkor, the Managing Director of GoldBod Jewellery, qualifies as a private sector representative given that GoldBod Jewellery is a state-owned institution.
“This is not about personalities. It is about compliance with the law,” Awuku wrote.
He continued: “If a person heads a public institution, exercises public authority and manages public resources on behalf of the state, can that person still be considered a private sector representative under the Tourism Act?”
Awuku argued that while Article 70 gives the President authority to appoint, that authority “must be exercised in accordance with the laws governing our public institutions.”
He added: “The Tourism Act did not simply require a Chairperson; it specifically required one from the private sector.”
The MP also raised broader concerns about the concentration of appointments. “Is there a shortage of qualified Ghanaians for these important national assignments? Why should multiple strategic appointments be concentrated in the hands of one individual when many capable professionals remain available to serve?”
He referenced government’s promises of a 24-hour economy and the “1:3:3 formula — one job, three people, three shifts to create more opportunities,” stating that current trends “appear to suggest the opposite: fewer opportunities being shared among more people and more appointments being concentrated among a select few.”
Awuku further questioned whether there were no competent professionals within the tourism, hospitality, travel, events, and creative arts sectors, or qualified NDC members, who could chair the GTA Board.
Addressing a possible defense, he noted: “Government may argue that the appointment to the Ghana Tourism Authority preceded Ms. Donkor’s appointment as Managing Director of GoldBod. But if circumstances have changed and she now heads a state institution, should the legal requirement not still be respected?”
He called on the Presidency and the Ministry of Tourism to provide clarity. “Mr. President, we cannot claim to be strengthening institutions while appearing to overlook provisions deliberately enacted to protect and strengthen those same institutions,” Awuku said.
He further said “the Ministry of Tourism owes Ghanaians a clear explanation. Until then, this appointment raises more questions than answers.”
