By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Nov. 27, GNA – Mr. Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, Vice Chairman of the Ghana Culture Forum, has lauded government for the allocation of GH¢20 million to the Creative Arts Fund in the 2026 Budget.
He said the allocation would restore confidence and hope within the creative arts industry, describing it as a long-awaited intervention.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, on Wednesday, in Accra, Mr. Ocansey said it had been “a very long time” since any national budget made a direct financial provision for the creative sector.
He said, “the last notable allocation was under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, when GH¢2 million was earmarked for the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).”
“This allocation is welcomed, and we commend the government for its bold initiatives. It now behoves us, the creative sector, to reciprocate this confidence by using the funds responsibly so that when the day of accountability comes, we can give a good account and hopefully secure an even larger allocation in the next budget.”
Mr. Ocansey said the GH¢20 million seed money must be invested prudently in line with the Creative Arts Fund’s legislative instrument, which clearly outlined how the fund should be administered and the types of investments permissible.
He emphasised the need for the Creative Arts Agency, the Fund’s board and the sector ministry to seek expert advice to ensure the money is invested sustainably.
“If we do not invest the GH¢20 million well and we do not grow the fund, it will be depleted because there will be a lot of demand. The fund supports research and development, capacity building, publications, sustainable projects and related areas, so its sustainability is key.”
He said once the financial base of the fund is secured, it can effectively support creatives through grants and loans, with the board determining which projects are viable for funding.
Touching on infrastructure, Mr. Ocansey welcomed ongoing conversations regarding the rehabilitation of the National Theatre and the establishment of a second national theatre in Kumasi.
“The refurbishment of the National Theatre will enhance its capacity to host a wide range of programmes and generate revenue. A second theatre in Kumasi will also be a great addition, providing space for film premieres, concerts, exhibitions and other creative activities.”
He noted that discussions between Ghanaian officials and Chinese authorities had progressed, with hopes that land acquisition for the Kumasi project would be completed next year, so that in the next budget, specific allocations would be made to it.
Responding to concerns that the creative arts sector is receiving more attention under the current minister at the expense of tourism and hospitality, Mr. Ocansey dismissed such claims as unfounded.
“It is wrong to say attention is being diverted from tourism to the creative arts. Tourism is driven by the creative sector. Annual visits to Ghana have grown significantly since 2019 largely because of creative events during the ‘December in GH’ events, like, concerts, fashion shows, exhibitions and more. These are major tourism drivers.”
He urged the public to recognise the creative industry as an economic force capable of sustaining growth with minimal environmental impact.
“Gold will deplete, oil will deplete, and both have environmental consequences. But creativity is a renewable resource and has no environmental consequence. Countries like the United States thrive significantly on the creative economy. Ghana must continue positioning the creative sector properly and investing in it.”
Mr. Ocansey encouraged government to maintain its support and called on creatives to seize the opportunity to demonstrate the sector’s potential.
“This is a huge opportunity. The creative space must show that we are ready, capable and indispensable to national development.”
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie