By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, Nov. 4, GNA – Mr Emmanuel Frimpong, Tourism Consultant and Analyst has urged Government to expedite the operationalisation of the Creative Arts Fund and Film Development Fund and publish transparent guidelines to enable musicians, filmmakers and other creative industry practitioners to access them.
He said although the establishment of the two funds was a significant commitment in the 2026 Budget, their accessibility to industry players remained a major concern.
He said the 2026 Budget initially allocated GH¢20 million each as seed funding for the Creative Arts Fund and the Film Development Fund.
However, in August 2026, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts reported that GH¢5 million had been released for each fund, while the respective Legislative Instruments required to operationalise them were still pending.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), on Wednesday, in Accra, Mr Frimpong said the allocation and release of money did not necessarily mean that the funds were accessible to practitioners.
He said musicians, filmmakers, event organisers, fashion designers and other creative entrepreneurs needed clear information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, funding windows, assessment processes and disbursement timelines.
He called for transparent and predictable funding arrangements, supported by accountability mechanisms to ensure that deserving practitioners, particularly young creatives and small and medium-sized enterprises, benefited.
Mr Frimpong said the funds should ultimately stimulate creative production, generate employment, strengthen businesses and improve the commercial viability of Ghanaian creative products.
On major tourism and cultural infrastructure projects, he said delays in implementation remained a concern, despite some progress on selected initiatives.
He said the National Theatre in Accra had undergone improvements, with the Ministry reporting in August 2026 a 15 per cent increase in patronage as of July, alongside upgrades to the auditorium, exhibition hall, foyer and operational facilities.
He added that government indicated in October that funding for the rehabilitation remained secured and feasibility reports had been completed.
On the proposed second National Theatre in Kumasi, Mr Frimpong said the project was important for decentralising cultural infrastructure but noted that government’s immediate priority was to complete existing theatre and cultural centre projects in the Ashanti Region.
He said the approach was reasonable, provided it did not result in further prolonged delays.
Regarding the Marine Drive Project, he described it as one of Ghana’s significant tourism investment opportunities, saying the reconstitution of its board and establishment of a technical steering committee were positive steps.
He said government had also indicated plans to attract private investment and explore public-private partnerships, but the project had experienced years of delays, reviews and uncertainty.
He identified financing, land and regulatory issues, investor confidence, project coordination and continuity as some of the factors affecting its implementation.
Mr Frimpong called for clear project timelines, secured financing, transparent procurement processes and regular public updates to restore confidence.
He recommended phased implementation of the Marine Drive Project, saying government could begin with components that could realistically be delivered rather than waiting for the entire project to be completed.
He said the 2027 Budget should prioritise the completion of outstanding tourism and cultural infrastructure projects, the rehabilitation of heritage sites, community-based tourism development and improved access roads to tourist attractions.
He also called for increased investment in tourism education, skills development and professional training to equip industry workers to deliver services that met international standards.
Mr Frimpong said the budget should include clear performance indicators, implementation timelines and accountability mechanisms to ensure that policy commitments translated into jobs, investment, business growth and improved livelihoods.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng
[email protected]