Sabah Zita Benson
Hon. Sabah Zita Benson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ambassador of Ghana to the Czech Republic | |
| In office 2014–2017 | |
| Succeeded by | Virginia Hesse |
| Minister for Tourism | |
| In office 2010–2011 | |
| President | John Atta Mills |
| Preceded by | Juliana Azumah-Mensah |
| Succeeded by | Akua Dansua |
| Minister for Information | |
| In office 2009–2010 | |
| President | John Atta Mills |
| Preceded by | Nana Akomea |
| Succeeded by | John Tia |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Political party | National Democratic Congress |
| Alma mater | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Ghana School of Law |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Sabah Zita Benson is a Ghanaian lawyer, diplomat, politician, and entrepreneur. She has held several notable positions in Ghana's public service including Minister of Information and Minister of Tourism.[1] She also served as Ghana's Ambassador to the Czech Republic,[2] with concurrent accreditation to Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Macedonia.
Early life and education
[edit]Benson holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Law from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (1996–1999). She earned her LLB from the University of Ghana (2002–2004) and was called to the Bar at the Ghana School of Law (2006). She later pursued a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Oil and Gas at the University of Ghana (2012–2014).[citation needed]
Career
[edit]Public service
[edit]In 2009, she was appointed Ghana's Minister of Information, where she focused on government communication reforms, including the documentary "The People Must Know", and coordinated media engagements for ministers. She also worked with the White House and U.S. Secret Service during Barack Obama's visit to Ghana that year.[3]
From 2010 to 2011, she served as the Minister of Tourism, where she helped pass the Tourism Bill, built a hospitality training school, and opened tourism offices in New York and London.[4]
Between 2014 and 2016, she served as Ghana's Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Her tenure saw the signing of bilateral agreements with Hungary, including visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders and the re-establishment of Hungary's embassy in Accra.[5]
Political and civic engagement
[edit]She was the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Dome-Kwabenya in the 2008 elections.[6] She has held various leadership roles in political committees and campaigns, including as founder of the Finishing Hard NDC Campaign Team (2022–2024) and co-founder of the Boots on the Ground Campaign for Election 2024.
Honors and recognition
[edit]Benson received the "Forty Under 40" Award from TNJ Magazine, New York in 2010,[7] and has been honored by the Ghana Association of Las Vegas for her leadership. She has also been recognized by the West Africa Nobles Forum for her integrity and public service ethics.
Personal life
[edit]She is married to Bobby Benson, a pharmacist.[8] Together they have 3 children.
References
[edit]- ^ "Ambassadorial appointments: Tony Aidoo for Holland, Zita for South Africa". www.adomonline.com. 6 February 2014.
- ^ "Gov't to build 190 Steel Bridges—Amb. Zita Okaikoi". www.mordenghana.com. 10 October 2014.
- ^ "Obama begins historic visit to Ghana". www.ghanaweb.com. 10 July 2009.
- ^ "History & Institutional Memory". www.motac.gov.gh.
- ^ "Ghana, Hungary sign bilateral relations agreements". www.graphic.com.gh. 15 October 2015.
- ^ "Elections 2008: Dome/Kwabenya". www.asaaseradio.com. 9 December 2008.
- ^ "Winners of TNJ Africa "40 Under Forty" Achievement Award released". www.ghanabusinessnews.com. 26 October 2010.
- ^ "Zita remarries, changes maiden name". www.ghanaweb.com. 6 August 2017.