Kindly allow me space and time to also have my take on the issue of the building of an ULTRA MODERN RECORDING STUDIO which you believe should happen by the end of the 4 year rule of your party NPP.
Indeed you have been championing the building of this ultra modern studio since 2017; I remember at the 2nd Annual General meeting of GHAMRO at KNUST (27th July, 2017), you reiterated the dream of the establishment of the ultra modern studio.
Initially I was thinking the best news around where you were currently standing and making such promise was rather to assure the Collective Management Organization (GHAMRO) that their logging system as promised by your party’s manifesto will be fulfilled. Well…let me move on to the main reason why I decided to write to you.
I have listened, read and heard you talk on issues regarding the ultra modern studio because part of the 2.4 million cedis budget is coming to creative Arts council and therefore you have seen the reason to buy land and build it. This concern falls under what I term NEEDS AND WANTS. l am now sensing danger where it’s becoming more of WANTS rather than NEEDS. I am amazed that this your dream did not find its way into your party’s manifesto to equally have maximum attention from government.
Mark Okraku Mantey, I want to find out if the building of the studio was part of the 14 major points raised in the manifesto which is the main focus, agenda of your party. If it’s not part of it, why are you rushing to do it and continue to hammer and drum it in our heads as if it is one of the priorities /promises made to us by the NPP?
One of the points raised in your manifesto is TO ESTABLISH A CREATIVE ARTS COUNCIL TO CORDINATE AND HARMONISE THE VARIOUS INTEREST AND FRAGMENTED ASSOCIATIONS INTO A WELL FUNCTIONG BODY TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMEBERS. Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey I’m tempted to believe that we need to focus on the mandate you were given (3 months though flouted and very bad) and don’t let your eyes off the ball. l will be glad you and your team will follow the plan and the purpose of the creative art council. Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey, I was surprised and wondering when I read in news one entertainment on Wednesday, 3rd October, 2018, with the caption – CREATIVE ARTS COUNCIL GETS PART OF 2.4M BUDGET.
You were quoted to have said; “WITH THE MONEY THAT WE ARE GETTING, WE CAN AFFORD TO BUY THE LAND AND BEGIN THE BUILDING THIS YEAR.” Are we serious!! .
The story also said, there are discussions with the EXIM BANK to support other sectors of the industry with loans to execute their projects. I want to know in what capacity will you do /take such action and under which laws? I want to know if all stakeholders in the music sector were met to deliberate and agree to the establishment of the ultra modern studio.
I was amazed when you also stated during your interview with ANDY DOSTY which was still captured by news one entertainment said: “WE WILL TALK TO FILM AND FASHION SECTOR TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR CHALLENGES ARE”. Meaning you do not even know their challenges since you took office as president of creative arts OR you’ve not met with them at all.
Mark, if so why would your own senior colleague in music sector, who is equally part of the creative arts for change, part of the inner caucus of the party on the creative arts industry Mr. Fred Kyei Mensah shoot down the idea and rather suggested the government should find ways and means to put in place policies that will help in the making of our songs and maximize our profits than building an ultra modern recording studio. This tells me the plan will breakdown.
I know you will say I am not an expert in the music industry so why would I write to you about it. But statements by other music engineers that the ultra modern studio should not be the priority for now is absolutely the fact.
Can we rather look at it this way; as University of Education and other institutions allowing the pursuance of music in general, the creative arts can fight for space like the brilliant move by MUSIGA and NAFTI, have Certificate, Diploma and Masters in sound engineering? With this we can have lots of people to enroll and make the engineering job credible, it will allow them to acquire the best of KNOWLEDGE and equip themselves.
The ultra modern recording studio again won’t be situated in the capital but in a different region for who to manage. We should make sure we do not kill already existing recording studios in the country which has recorded musicians and has worn awards, people from other countries come to record here including the same Nigerians and other folks, all the ever green songs were recorded here in Ghana by these same engineers.
I hope you consider my small idea in good faith. Leave a legacy by setting up the council and checking out for the council to elect its head, Secretary, PRO, director etc. Let’s focus on the creative Arts Bill which stakeholders need. I wonder if your team is up to date with the amendment of the Bill.
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