Mahama outlines measures to transform creative arts sector.

The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has set his sights on transforming the creative arts industry in Ghana if elected in 2024.

At a policy dialogue with industry stakeholders, the former President highlighted the creative arts industry’s potential to create millions of jobs for the country’s youth and expressed his commitment to supporting the industry.

He outlined over 20 policy ideas aimed at elevating the industry, including budgetary allocation, support for playwrights and filmmakers, and establishing a film village with facilities to boost arts activities and tourism.

With a focus on job creation, entrepreneurship, and cultural promotion, Mr. Mahama’s vision seeks to revitalise the creative arts industry and provide opportunities for Ghana’s talented youth.

“The creative arts is a very important industry and has the potential to create millions of jobs. All our young people who are sitting at home, many of them are talented but there are no opportunities for them to show their talents. So if we are able to put the creative industry on a sound footing, it will create opportunities for many of our young people,” he stated.

Mahama said that while creatives earn money from ticket sales for their events, they can consider other modules, including a paid television channel for events, to earn more from viewers.

“We will acquire a special channel for the creative arts. It will be an events channel. And you can display all your work there. If you have a big show like Stonebwoy or Amandzeba performing, we will have the technology to make that show payable. So even though it will be on the DTT, you would have to pay and be given a code to watch.”

Ahead of the launch of their manifesto, he also mentioned other strategies they intend to use to elevate the industry if they are given the mandate to govern the country again. Below are some of John Mahama’s policies for the Creative Arts Sector, as captured by myjoyonline.com.

Make budgetary allocations for the creative arts.

Declare a Golden Age of Culture, Arts, and Tourism, an overarching policy for the sector that will include actions and modules to promote job creation and entrepreneurship. Under this will be the Black Star Experience, which will be one of the sub-themes to imbue Africanism in Ghanaians and encourage people to come from all over the world to see our arts, tourism, and culture.

Renovate Centres of Arts and Culture in the various regions.

Streamline copyright modalities and IP Laws.

Organise film festivals where Ghanaian films, art exhibitions, music shows, and fashion programmes will be exhibited.

Special focus on drama and theatre arts: playwrights will be supported in exhibiting their plays.

Creatives will attend international trade fairs to exhibit Ghanaian culture and arts.

Establish a film village with equipment at a low cost for filmmakers.

Rehabilitate the National Theatre in Accra and build a second National Theatre in Kumasi.

Acquire a special event channel for creative arts programmes on digital terrestrial television (DTT) for paid viewing.

Special rates for performances at Blackstar Square, Accra International Conference Centre and other venues owned by the government.

Encourage teaching music and arts in the school curriculum: provide trained teachers for such subjects.

Introduce tax breaks for creative artists with Tax Identification Numbers (TIN).

Formalise a fund for ageing artists.

Revive the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC).

In partnership with the private sector, develop tourist sites.

Revive the Marine Drive Project. Provide Amusement Parks.

Review the tourism fund and ensure it benefits the various stakeholders in the tourism value chain.

Build a new city on the banks of the Volta River with facilities that will generate arts activities and boost tourism.

Hold annual stakeholder dialogues with people in the Creative Arts Sector.