MP Sammi Awuku welcomes reconstitution of Ghana Tourism Authority Board after raising legal concerns

The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has welcomed the reconstitution of the Board of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), describing the development as a vindication of the oversight concerns he raised over the Board’s compliance with the Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817).

On June 14, 2026, Awuku publicly questioned the legality of the appointment of Ms Gertrude Emefa Donkor as Chairperson of the GTA Board. His concerns centred on Section 4(1) of the Tourism Act, which explicitly requires that the Chairperson of the Board be drawn from the private sector.

At the time, Awuku argued that Donkor’s role as Managing Director of GoldBod Jewellery—a state-owned enterprise—disqualified her from being considered a private-sector representative under the law. “This is not about personalities. It is about compliance with the law,” he wrote in a Facebook post. He further warned that allowing a public official to occupy a position statutorily reserved for private-sector representation risked setting a “dangerous precedent” that could sideline private sector participation in governance.

The concerns were subsequently addressed by the government. A new Board was constituted and sworn into office on July 7, 2026, at a ceremony in Accra presided over by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie. Ms Phyllis Engmann, a business management professional, was sworn in as the new Chairperson of the GTA Governing Board.

In a statement on July 19, Awuku said his concern was never about any individual but about ensuring that the law was respected and that the Ghana Tourism Authority was properly constituted.

“This is why oversight matters. When legitimate concerns are raised about the legality of a public appointment, they should be examined and, where necessary, corrected,” he stated.

The Akuapem North MP welcomed the government’s decision to reconstitute the Board, adding that correcting an error should not be viewed negatively. “There is nothing wrong with correcting an error. What matters is that the law is ultimately respected,” he said.

Awuku further indicated that he would continue to raise issues concerning public institutions whenever necessary. “I will continue to raise such matters whenever necessary and to discharge my responsibilities in the national interest. Accountability is not obstruction. It is a constitutional duty,” he added.

The development has been widely seen as a demonstration of the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight in ensuring compliance with statutory requirements governing public appointments.