Dr. Jacob Paarechuga Anankware, Deputy CEO of the Environmental Protection Authority, has been appointed to the governing board of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), marking yet another high-level national assignment in his expanding public leadership portfolio.
The new NCC board was officially inaugurated on August 5, 2025, in a ceremony led by the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, at the Ministry’s conference room in Accra. The Minister underscored the critical role of the board in providing strategic guidance to ensure the Commission fulfils its mandate of aligning culture with Ghana’s development vision.
“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 stated.
Dr. Anankware’s appointment is viewed as a major boost to the board’s competence, given his interdisciplinary background and proven leadership across government institutions. His addition signals a commitment to fusing traditional values with modern governance to elevate Ghana’s cultural identity.
His role at the Commission is expected to help shape policies and initiatives that preserve and project the country’s cultural wealth, while enhancing institutional accountability and stakeholder engagement.
This latest appointment comes on the heels of another, Dr. Anankware’s recent swearing-in as a member of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority board, further reinforcing his rising influence in the public sector. His expertise in environmental governance, combined with deep-rooted cultural knowledge, positions him uniquely to bridge gaps across sectors.
Expressing appreciation for the opportunity, Dr. Anankware pledged to serve with diligence and collaborate with fellow members to move the Commission’s vision forward.
The new NCC board comprises professionals from diverse sectors, including academia, the creative arts, public administration, and traditional leadership. Other members include 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.
Praised as a “reset agenda” by many cultural observers, the appointments are part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader initiative to revitalize national pride and heritage through strong leadership in the arts and cultural policy sectors.
The occasion also drew senior officials from the Ministry, led by Chief Director Joseph Kwasi Amoah, affirming the importance the government places on culture as a pillar of sustainable national development.
