Sammy Awuku Raises Legal Questions Over Emefa Donkor’s Dual Government Roles

A Facebook post by Sammy Awuku has sparked debate over the dual appointments held by Emefa Donkor, raising questions about whether the arrangement complies with Ghanaian law.

Awuku initially questioned the decision to appoint Donkor to two influential positions. However, attention has now shifted to the legal implications of her role as Chairperson of the Board of the Ghana Tourism Authority.

According to Section 4(1) of the Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817), the Chairperson of the Ghana Tourism Authority Board must come from the private sector.

Critics argue that Donkor’s position as Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod Jewellery, a state-owned enterprise, places her firmly within the public sector. As CEO, she reportedly oversees public resources and operates under a government mandate.

Based on this interpretation, some legal observers contend that she may not meet the statutory requirement of serving as a private sector representative on the GTA Board.

The issue has triggered discussions about whether the appointment complies with the Tourism Act and whether the government should clarify the legal basis for the decision.

Supporters of this position also point out that Ghana’s tourism, hospitality, travel, events, and creative arts sectors have many experienced private sector professionals who could potentially serve in the role envisioned by the law.

So far, neither the Ministry of Tourism, the Presidency, nor the Ghana Tourism Authority has publicly addressed the concerns.

The matter continues to generate public interest as observers await an official response regarding the legality of the appointment and the interpretation of the Tourism Act.