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Animation of Thursday, January 31st, 2019
Source: Graphic.com.gh
2019-01-31
Rex Omar
For years, creative arts actors have lamented the neglect of the sector by successive governments, as well as their broken promises.
Disappointed by the treatment of the sector by the former National Democratic Congress (NDP) government, a glimmer of hope was offered in the 2016 elections by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), whose manifesto proposed great solutions to the challenges of the sector.
Two years after the start of the administration of nuclear power plants, many industry stakeholders who have joined the "Change" movement are unhappy with the government's efforts.
Certain measures have been taken, including the establishment of the Creative Arts Council, but its impact has been minimal because there is no legislation to make it operational.
During a phone conversation about the state of the creative arts sector, GHAMRO Chairman Rex Omar told Graphic Showbiz that the NPP government had made promises in the air at creative arts sector. For him, the government was only good at providing end-to-end services to the sector.
"Honestly, the NPP Manifesto was just a love letter to the creative arts industry, because if we have to judge them according to the projects described in the creative industry, they have unfortunately failed.
Among the highlights of the manifesto regarding the creative sector are the review and implementation of the culture policy developed under the administration of former President JA Kufuor, drawing up a detailed inventory of cultural badets. in order to build a database and create a Creative Arts Fund to raise funds for the modernization and development of the sector.
Others were to create a creative arts division of the Supreme Court to deal with all intellectual property rights issues, create a creative arts council to coordinate and harmonize fragmented badociations within from a successful organization and continue the construction of large modern theaters in all regional capitals except Accra.
"Is not it interesting that while the industry is demanding attention and investment, the sector ministry has bought AFRIMA's housing rights at a high price, when it does not benefit in the country? Do we know how the amount invested in this project belonging to a Nigerian could have fetched our industry? He asked.
Rex Omar said he hoped for better days but that his expectations had not been met because nothing was happening.
"Just go read the NPP Manifesto and you'll know that it's too ambitious and too good to be true. For example, they promised to build 10 regional theaters. Where is the theater even founded?
"Today, the same people who have made these huge promises for which they have received mbadive support from industry players are opening up renovated cultural centers. Really? Is this what was promised? He asked.
Rex Omar pointed out that his argument rested on the records of previous governments and not just an improper attack on the current government.
"It seems that the industry has got a lot of attention from the powers of the revolutions era. I remember how, under Rawlings, he hosted "Meet Me There" and many talents were brought to light.
"That's not all, when the democratic regime started with Rawlings still in charge, he provided an installation to MUSIGA and handed regular tokens to many artists. When Atta Mills took office, he also donated 2 million GHc to the sector and, although it was obviously not enough, it was an excellent initiative.
"Mahama may not have achieved good results, but at least the government has created the Creative Arts Council. What can nuclear power plants also show off their empty promises?
Rex Omar said, "The creative arts industry deserves more than that and we need to hold our leaders accountable and keep their promises and not use them only during the campaign period," he said. he declares.
Showbiz contacted sector minister Catherine Abelema Afeku, who sent a statement detailing all the ministry's accomplishments in 2018.
Highlights include the financial and logistical support provided to the Black Star Film International Film Festival (BSIFF), the establishment of a task force to draft a legislative instrument to make the film a reality. act related to the film adopted in 2016, operational.
The team, led by George Bosompem, executive member of GAFTA and NAFTI lecturer with other members of the Attorney General's Office, the Copyright Office, and an independent legal expert, brought together stakeholders during the meeting. a day of reflection at the hotel Volta Serene.
According to the statement, the team also held five more meetings in Accra with the Association of Independent Broadcasters of Ghana and other practitioners in the sector, as well as in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital.
He also said that the bill on the creative arts industry had been submitted to Cabinet and that he was currently before Parliament for deliberation and adoption. The Creative Arts Fund, according to the declaration, has also been incorporated into the bill.
The ministry said Ghana had hosted the African Union's first Pan-African Writers Conference as well as the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). He also supported the Chale Wote Festival, Glitz Africa Fashion Week and hosted the Ghana Theater Festival held in September.
The statement also revealed that a modern regional theater had been completed for the celebration of NAFAC, while the minister had led delegations to Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi to inspect the works of the theaters under construction.
The ministry has also secured a US $ 40 million credit from the World Bank. Component 3 of the facility provides $ 5 million for a tourism business support program.
This component aims to provide tourism SMEs, especially those owned by women, the opportunity to improve their business planning and to apply for matching grants to improve their tourism products and services.
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