'I didn’t know I was supposed to chop and not work' – Blakofe on her time at GTDC

Media personality Akua Blakofe has criticised political appointments in Ghana, alleging that some appointees are given positions without clear job descriptions and are expected to treat their roles as rewards for supporting a political party rather than opportunities to work.

Blakofe, who served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) from 2017 to 2018, made the remarks while revisiting the circumstances surrounding her resignation from the company.

“When I resigned, I told you lot that I was not given a job description or tasks. Fact is, people are appointed and not told what their job is!” she wrote.

Blakofe said she entered the role with ideas for developing Ghana’s arts and tourism sector but alleged that her suggestions were not welcomed by the GTDC board.

“Political posts in Gh are rewards for campaigning or supporting the party for long time. It’s no secret I got my post cos my campaign was solid. However, I didn’t get the memo that I was to chop and not work,” she said.

She further alleged that the board pushed her out of office before the official date stated in her resignation letter. According to her, she was also excluded from important meetings and events despite serving as a deputy chief executive.

Blakofe recalled discovering that the minister responsible for tourism was launching PANAFEST in Cape Coast only after someone called to ask why she was still in the office.

“I wasn’t even invited to meetings or PANAFEST LAUNCH. How???? I was in govt. but had no idea of PANAFEST launch,” she wrote on social media.

Her comments come after Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, popularly known as Abeiku Santana, petitioned Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie over what he described as recurring difficulties in accessing his boss, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto.

In a letter dated October 22, 2026, Abeiku Santana, the GTA Deputy CEO in charge of Marketing and Special Duties, asked the minister to intervene in the communication difficulties within the authority.

Blakofe welcomed the attention generated by the letter, saying it could provide an opportunity to revisit the concerns she raised during her time at GTDC.

“Thank you Abeiku for your leaked letter. Hopefully, we can use the opportunity to discuss the real issues I raised in 2018,” she said.

She maintained that she had wanted to contribute ideas to Ghana’s arts and tourism development and urged authorities to appoint people willing to work and deliver results.

“I was ready to WORK FOR GHANA. Not all appointees are! Let those who want Gh to win be in positions of power,” she added.

Blakofe also shared her views on potential leadership in the tourism sector, suggesting that Abeiku Santana could be better suited to lead the GTA while questioning whether other individuals had the ideas needed to grow the country’s arts and tourism industry.