A few months after highlighting over twenty policy ideas for Ghana’s tourism, arts and culture, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially launched the party’s projections for the sector in its 2024 manifesto.

The manifesto which was launched in Winneba on August 24, 2024 details some of the promises made by the Presidential Candidate for the NDC, John Dramani Mahama.

According to their manifesto, the next NDC Government intends to do the following for the creative economy:

1. Our Integrated Cultural and Economic Empowerment: will harness Culture for Economic Growth and for Building a Thriving Creative Industry.

– Our Creative Arts Fund will provide sustainable financial support for start-ups as well as ailing large, medium and small creative enterprises with business support as a lifeline for start-ups and struggling creative enterprises – ensuring that recipients can manage their resources sustainably and grow their ventures.

– We will support young digital content creators to develop contents that promote Ghanaian culture;

– Significant Investments in Capacity building and Digital Platforms to further empower artists, with the skills to create commercially viable content, and thrive in a digital world. This policy also introduces Cultural Villages – vibrant centres for showcasing Ghana’s rich heritage, while doubling as hubs for local content creation. These villages will be pivotal in producing and promoting Ghanaian content; including films, music, fashion and crafts, accessible to both local and global audiences.

2. Our Tourism Infrastructure and Experience Enhancement Policy seeks to enhance Tourism and harness culture to create holistic tourism experiences.

Tourism as a driving force in Ghana’s economy, must renew its focus on enhancing infrastructure and visitor experiences. This policy will see the refurbishment and modernisation of Ghana’s iconic cultural heritage sites and development of potential sites, coupled with construction of new Centres of National Culture and the refurbishment of existing ones, into spaces that will not only attract international tourists, but also foster domestic tourism through immersive, community-based cultural programming.

Diverse tourism offerings, from culinary, to health and wellness tourism, will be developed – showcasing the multifaceted appeal of Ghana, and creating sector job and commerce opportunities within local communities.

To complement these physical experiences, the NDC Administration will introduce digital tourism platforms, offering real-time online databases and virtual reality tours that offer interactive experiences of Ghana’s most treasured sites. This digitalisation effort will broaden the reach of Ghana’s tourism offerings, and sustainably put Ghana on the global map as a top-tier tourist destination.

3. Inclusive Cultural Participation and Protection 

At the core of this policy, is ensuring that Ghana’s cultural and tourism sectors are accessible to all and devoid of financial uncertainty. Legal and financial protections, including a pension scheme for creatives, will secure the careers of those contributing to the cultural economy. This initiative will create a safety net for artists, allowing them to focus on excelling at their craft.

– We would review and strictly enforce broadcasting, digital media and local content provisions to stimulate local artistic productions;

– facilitate, enforce and enhance the collection and management system for copyrights and royalties in Ghana; and

– Partner with the private sector to build an ultra-modern recreation village with auditoriums for films, musical concerts and other special events.

– Additionally, our government will prioritize the refurbishment and development of tourist facilities that accommodate access and comfort requirements of People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), and training opportunities for such persons to discover and sustain jobs in the sector.

– The policy also extends to the Ghanaian and African Diaspora, with a legal and ethical framework to help those wishing to relocate to Ghana integrate smoothly into our cultural economy.

– Collaborations with diplomatic missions will be engaged specifically to promote Ghana’s cultural and tourism offerings abroad, enhancing the global presence of Ghanaian culture.

The NDC also seeks to create and promote ‘The Black Star Experience’ as Ghana’s flagship Culture, Arts and Tourism brand to make Ghana a preferred tourism destination. The Black Star Experience will undertake a year-round celebration in all the major entertainment, artistic and educational disciplines.

This will include the celebration of the following:

• The Pan African Month, Celebrating Heritage, History and Diaspora Engagement.

• The Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month.

• Ghana Music World.

• Culinary Month.

• Architecture, Design, Arts and Crafts.

• Fashion and Textiles Month.

• Literacy/Literary Month

▪ Ama Ata-Aidoo, Ephraim Amu, Kofi Awoonor flourishing our February: Literacy/Literary Month,

▪ March: Heritage/History/Diaspora Month – telling the true history of the people of Ghana, perhaps Kwame Nkrumah will have his day of truth after all! In March &

▪ April: The Black Star/Pan African Month, and be joined by the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., & Marcus Garvey.

▪ August: Niyenii (Food)!!! and (Drinks) Month – diversity of Ghanaian culinary arts, – Akple & Fetridetsi, Tuo Zaafi! Tumbaani, Adunle! Kom k3 Kena! Sobolo!!!

▪ celebrate Ghanaian Architecture Art Forms, and highlight new challenges in September

▪ Ghanaian Film, Festival and Awards in October:

▪ Fashion, Textiles, Garments, Accessories and precious minerals in November.

▪ December: Ghana Music Festival Month – highlife, hiplife, dancehall, choral, traditional and dance and Awards.

In the meantime, Joy FM is preparing to hold the CREATIVE MANIFESTO ON CREATIVE ECONOMY for the NDC and the NPP to deliberate on their various manifesto promises and ideas for Ghana’s tourism, arts and culture.

The event which will be live on Joy FM and Joy Prime, is scheduled for September 14, 2024.

Source: Myjoyonline