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Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare

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Hon.
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
MP
Member of Ghana Parliament for Techiman North Constituency
Assumed office
7 January 2021
Preceded byMartin Gyarko Oti
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
In office
March 2013 – January 2017
PresidentJohn Dramani Mahama
Preceded byAkua Sena Dansua
Succeeded byCatherine Afeku
Personal details
Born (1974-03-01) 1 March 1974 (age 50)
Berekum, Ghana
Political partyNational Democratic Congress
SpouseLawrence Ofosu-Adjare
RelationsIsaac Kwadwo Adjei-Mensah (father)
Children2
Alma materGhana School of Law, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, St Monica's Secondary School
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer
CommitteesHealth Committee; Appointments Committee

Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare (born March 1, 1974) is a Ghanaian lawyer and politician who served as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. She was appointed to this position by President John Mahama in 2013 when he formed his first substantive government. She is a member of the National Democratic Congress.[1][2][3] She is currently a member for the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana representing the Techiman North Constituency.

Early life and education

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Ofosu-Adjare is the third of ten girls born to Isaac Kwadwo Adjei Mensah, a lawyer, businessman and politician, and his wife, a businesswoman. She attended St Monica's Secondary School in Mampong, Kumasi, where she obtained both her O & A level certificates. Ofosu-Adjare then proceeded to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. She continued to the University of Ghana, Legon to pursue further studies in the field of Law and obtained honors in LLB in 2002. She later obtained a degree in law in 2004.[4]

Career

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Ofosu-Adjare started her legal practice with the Holy Trinity Chambers in Kumasi, Ashanti Region in 2004 and rose to become a partner of the Firm. She also became a lawyer for the Legal Aid Scheme in the Ashanti Region. She has been a board member of the Multi Trust Financial Company in Kumasi from 2004 till date. She is currently a board member of the Federation Commodities Limited.[5]

She was appointed to the Board of the Tema Oil Refinery in 2009 by the President of the Republic of Ghana and served from 2009 to 2013. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare was appointed on 1 March 2013 by President John Dramani Mahama to the newly created/realigned Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts.

Political career

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2020 elections

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She contested for Techiman north constituency parliamentary seat on the ticket of National Democratic Congress during the 2020 Ghanaian general election and won with 23, 252 votes representing 52.53% of the total votes. She won the parliamentary seat over Martin Gyarko Oti of New Patriotic Party and Faustina Owusu Mensah of NDP. They had 21,008 votes and 1 vote respectful. These represent 47.46% and 00.00% respectful.[6]

As Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts

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Ofosu-Adjare was appointed on 1 March 2013 by President John Dramani Mahama to the newly created/realigned Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts. As the Sector Minister, she worked creditably with fourteen (14) Agencies under her ministry introduced innovative, novelty tourism programs as an addition to Ghana's Tourism products & Offerings.

ExploreGhana project

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Worthy of mention is the ExploreGhana project launched in 2014 to stimulate and drive domestic tourism in Ghana.[7] After three years of the launch, domestic tourism has received wide coverage by media outlets & organizations. Thus ensuring the country is promoting ‘’Responsible Tourism’’ which offers a diverse tourism product mix, which both local and international tourists benefit from.[7]

National Festival for Arts & Culture

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Another major traditional festival introduced was the Homogeneous Festival for the Ga State. For the first time in Ghana, the ministry nurtured this Homogeneous Festival to ensure the Greater Accra Region has its own brand festival. She also restructured the National Festival for Arts & Culture (NAFAC)[8] and the famous Ghana Carnival introduced in her maiden year in office.[9] She is also credited with the setting up of Tourism levy secretariat to help improve the collection & payment of the 1% Tourism levy. This levy has generated substantial funds for the execution of tourism projects especially in the area in of capacity building and tourism promotion.[10]

Film Bill

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Other achievements of Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare was done in the area of a legislative framework to support the work of the creative Arts industry. She led the passage of the Film Bill, which went through cabinet and was approved by Parliament into become law. This new bill replaced the old Film Act of 1961 and was the first time such a new legislative framework was introduced to ensure the Film and Television sector got the much-needed legal backing in Ghana.[11]

African ministers at 21st UNWTO General Assembly

Back to Seychelles Trip

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She led a high powered Government Delegation to accompany the return of the King of Ashanti Kingdom, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to the Seychelles Islands where the King of Ashanti, Nana Prempeh I was sent to exile during the Ashanti-British war in 1900. It was the first time a sitting Ashanti King has visited the Seychelles Islands.[12][13]

International roles

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On the International level, she has led Ghana's tourism sector by consistently appearing at the major Tourism fairs and exhibitions like the World Travel Market, International Tourism Bourse (ITB), FITUR International Travel Fair, Vakantiebeurs Holiday Fair, & China Outbound Tourism & Travel Market (COTTM). Never before has Ghana been marketed on the international level since the last three years of her tenure as the Sector Minister.[14]

She lobbied her colleague African Ministers & the top echelons of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to have Ghana host the first ever Brand Africa conference in Accra in August 2015.[15] Her popularity and energetic role in the International Tourism matters helped Ghana to be elected on to the Executive Council of the UN Tourism body at its 21st UNWTO Session in Medellin Colombia.[16]

Committees

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She is a member of the Health Committee and also a member of the Appointments Committee.[17]

Personal life

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She is married to Lawrence Ofosu-Adjare. She is the daughter of the late Isaac Kwadwo Adjei-Mensah, who served as Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing during the Rawlings government, and was also Member of Parliament for Techiman North where she currently is an MP.[18][19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Frimpong, Enoch Darfah. "Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare: Minister of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts - Graphic Online - | 2016". Graphic Online. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  2. ^ "More Ministerial Nominees Appear Before Parliament". News Archive. Ghana government. 12 February 2013. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Minister for Tourism, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare Defends John Dumelo's Appointment - GhanaPoliticsOnline". GhanaPoliticsOnline. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Minister". motcca.gov.gh. Archived from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  5. ^ Nartey, Laud (24 January 2022). "E-levy can be passed by NPP with their slim majority, but NDC'll still oppose it - NDC MP". 3NEWS. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  6. ^ FM, Peace. "Techiman North Constituency Results - Election 2020". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Explore Ghana initiative launched". Graphic Online. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  8. ^ "National Festival of Arts & Culture opens in Accra". www.ghanaweb.com. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  9. ^ AfricaNews (4 July 2016). "Ghana Carnival 2016 showcases sub-regional and Caribbean cultures". Africanews. Archived from the original on 6 July 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  10. ^ "GTA Inaugurates Tourism Fund Secretariat". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Mahama signs Ghana film Bill into law". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Asantehene goes to Seychelles Islands". Graphic Online. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Ghana's Ashanti king set to visit royal family's former site of exile in Seychelles". www.seychellesnewsagency.com. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Chinese Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Ms. Sun Baohong attended the hand-over ceremony for office supplies to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative arts". www.mfa.gov.cn. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  15. ^ "UN Branding Africa Conference launched". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Page 45". Visit Ghana. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Parliament of Ghana". www.parliament.gh. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Photos: Exclusive Events Ghana Ltd Mourns With Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  19. ^ Eshun, Beatrice. "President Mahama eulogises late I.K Adjei Mensah". www.gbcghana.com. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
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Political offices
New title Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
2013 – 2017
Succeeded by