The sector minister, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who met the arts players in the company of her deputy, Madam Dzifa Abla Gomashie, and other top officials of the ministry, also tabled a number of initiatives that the government was taking to “move the industry forward”.

 

She reiterated the government’s resolve to see a thriving creative sector, “since it believes culture is a key catalyst to developing the country”.

 

The minister indicated that the passing of the Creative Arts Bill and the Film Bill was an essential element needed to shape the arts industry, adding that it will also be a game changer in the arts industry, which she described as very dynamic.

 

The minister asked practitioners operating in areas under her ministry to be patient as the government was working round the clock to solve the country’s power crisis, saying, “I’m aware it is affecting your businesses negatively but please bear with the government.”

 

The members of the Ghana Culture Forum present at the meeting expressed their gratitude to the government for the support given to the arts industry, saying they believed the attention from the government was going to play a pivotal role in the development of the country.

 

They also lauded the government for the legislative processes currently underway to give the creative arts sector the necessary legal framework for the smooth running of its operations.

 

Commenting on the release of the Gh¢1million to the creative arts industry, Prof. Esi Sutherland Addy, the Chairperson and Convener of the Ghana Culture Forum, assured the President that the money would be used judiciously for the development of the sector.

 

She expressed the hope that having reached an advanced stage in the forum’s discussions with the ministry in respect of the mode for the disbursement of the money; the guidelines will soon be out to ensure that the distribution of the funds is done equitably to the benefit of all within the sector.

 

Some members present at the meeting were, Steve Asare Hackman of the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Reverend Eddie Coffie, the President of the Ghana Actors Guild (GAG), Emmanuel Ziggy Nettyson, member of GAG, Amandzeba of the Professional Musicians of Ghana and Sloopy Mike Gyamfi from the Veteran Musicians Association of Ghana.

 

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare in an earlier meeting with members of GAG said Cabinet had approved the Film Bill for Parliament to pass into law.

 

She added that the ministry would soon roll out a sensitisation programme to solicit the views of industry players and fill in the gaps that may exist in the bill.

 

She assured the actors of the ministry’s support in reviving the film industry and using it as a catalyst to preserve and promote Ghana’s cultural values.

 

She said creative arts players would always be included in the activities of the ministry, pointing out that recently some of them were invited to the Kwahu Paragliding Festival, the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM) in Beijing, China, and the fifth Carnival International de Victoria, in Seychelles.