Dr. Jacob Paarechuga Anankware Joins National Commission On Culture Board To Champion Ghana’s Cultural Advancement

Dr. Jacob Paarechuga Anankware, Deputy CEO of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and a respected royal from Navrongo in the Upper East Region, has been officially appointed to the governing board of the National Commission on Culture (NCC). The inauguration, held on August 5, 2025, was led by the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, at the Ministry’s conference room in Accra.

Dr. Anankware’s appointment is seen as a significant addition to the board, given his extensive leadership experience, technical expertise, and commitment to national development. His presence on the Commission is expected to enhance its strategic direction as it works to preserve, promote, and develop Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.

The NCC board is tasked with aligning cultural programs with Ghana’s broader development goals. Minister Dzifa Gomashie, in her address, emphasized the importance of the board’s role in ensuring that the Commission operates with transparency, accountability, and strategic foresight.

“There is a pressing need for leadership that can steer cultural policy in a way that benefits the entire nation. The board is not just symbolic—it is a working body that must ensure resources are used effectively and that our cultural institutions thrive,” she said.

Dr. Anankware’s appointment comes shortly after he was also sworn in as a member of the board of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, another testament to his growing influence in national governance. His dual roles underscore the government’s confidence in his capabilities and vision.

Grateful for the opportunity, Dr. Anankware has pledged to work diligently alongside fellow board members to elevate the cultural sector. His unique blend of scientific knowledge, administrative insight, and traditional wisdom makes him well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the NCC’s mission.

The newly constituted board brings together an impressive mix of professionals and traditional leaders, including Wakefield Wisdom Ackuaku, Richard Baffour-Awuah, Bridget Mensah, Abena Annobea Asare, Mama Aflo-Vuiede II, Gladys Boateng, Anna Kportufe, Edinam Korkor Atatsi, Mildred Ashley, Abdul-Samed Yakubu Gomda, and Adiza Baba-Issah.

President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has been praised for assembling a team of experienced and capable individuals for what many see as a cultural “reset agenda” aimed at restoring pride in Ghana’s artistic and cultural identity.

The inauguration ceremony was also graced by directors of the Ministry, led by Chief Director Joseph Kwasi Amoah, reinforcing the significance of the occasion in Ghana’s cultural policy landscape.