The President, Nana Akuffo Addo has presented the State Of the Nation Address (SONA) during which he addressed the current state of the nation and development.
The Foundation Of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) keenly followed the President’s submission which beautifully touched on Tourism but surprisingly failed to address the current state of Creative Arts in Ghana. It’s unfortunate how the Present government continue touting its love for the creative arts and never have the President tell us the true state of our creative industry.
FOCAP, in excersing our primary aim is to advocate for the advancement of Creative Arts is giving the creative community The True State Of Creative Arts In Ghana(SOCA):
1- President has deliberately refused to excise his power in accordance with article 195 of the constitution, to appoint an Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts industry but rather occupied illegally by Gyankroma Akuffo Addo his own daughter.
2- Creative Arts Fund which is born out of the Creative Arts Agency act cannot been established simply because he has refused to establish the Board in accordance with the law.
3- National film Authority (NFA) is currently a lame duck with white elephant board chairman and members and it’s Executive secretary.
4- Since 2016, Cultural Policy has since not be reviewed to suit the current situation in Ghana’s and our culture position and policy
5- The current state of the creative arts school at Kwadaso unknown.
6- Zero update on partnership with the private sector to build large recording studios in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi
7- No update on the digital platform for artists
8- Zero update on the construction of one of the biggest convention and exhibition centers in the world at Ghana Trade Fair Company site, La.
9- Zero update on (5 ) five amphitheatres to build by close of last year not to talk of building of extra (5)five this year 2023.
10- zero update on the disbursement of the $10 million grant funded by lnternational Development Association of the World Bank in 2022.
Notwithstanding, FOCAP will continue to congratulate the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture for its commitment to see tourism grow to its fullest capacity. We hopping the dream to see the ministry contribute $4 billion to the economy by 2024 will be achieved.
The ministry also promised to make $2.3 billion with one million visitors last year and FOCAP will be happy to see ministry achieve and also provide current revenue updates from the proposed one million visitors.
Let’s all ensure accountability is done to help improve our sector.
Kojo Preko Dankwa
President
0550077040
0575655656
Enoch Agyepong
Vice President, Research
0244712136
Mel Kwesi Davis
Vice President
0205422156
