In a significant move to bolster Ghana’s creative arts sector, former President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to acquire a dedicated television channel specifically for broadcasting creative arts events.
This initiative is part of his broader commitment to promoting the arts and supporting the industry’s growth, which he views as crucial for national development.
The announcement was made during a policy dialogue with creative arts industry stakeholders held at the AH Hotel in Accra on Friday, June 7, 2024.
Mahama’s vision for a thriving creative industry is aimed at significantly contributing to Ghana’s economy and cultural heritage. A dedicated TV channel, he explained, would serve as vital infrastructure, providing a reliable platform for showcasing events, concerts, festivals, and other creative productions.
The dedicated TV channel is expected to increase visibility for artists and provide a consistent stream of opportunities for monetizing their work through sponsorships, advertising, and partnerships.
Mahama emphasized that this channel, available on digital terrestrial television (DTT), would feature major performances and events, utilizing technology that allows viewers to pay for access, thus generating additional revenue for artists.
Mahama outlined several strategies his administration plans to implement to elevate the creative arts industry. These include budgetary allocations for the sector, declaring a Golden Age of Culture, Arts, and Tourism, and renovating arts and culture centers in various regions.
He also stressed the importance of streamlining copyright and intellectual property laws, organizing film festivals, art exhibitions, music shows, and supporting drama and theatre arts.
Additional plans involve supporting creatives to attend international trade fairs, establishing a film village with affordable equipment for filmmakers, and rehabilitating the National Theatre in Accra while building a second one in Kumasi.
Other initiatives include offering special rates for performances at key venues, encouraging the teaching of music and arts in schools, introducing tax breaks for artists with Tax Identification Numbers, and formalizing a fund for aging artists.
Mahama’s comprehensive plan also aims to revive the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC), develop tourist sites in partnership with the private sector, revive the Marine Drive Project, and provide amusement parks.
A new city is proposed to be built on the banks of the Volta Region, featuring facilities that will generate arts activities and boost tourism, further demonstrating Mahama’s dedication to transforming Ghana’s creative arts sector.
Source: OccupyGh.com
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