Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, has called on the media to allocate more airtime to discussing government policies that impact the creative arts industry.
Speaking at the Annual Conference of Performing Arts organized by the National Theatre on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Okraku Mantey expressed concern about the limited attention given to creative arts policies on radio and other media platforms, compared to policies in other sectors like agriculture.
He emphasized that policies designed to support the creative arts are often overlooked in favour of entertainment-related discussions, which focus more on events and shows rather than the broader initiative shaping the industry.
The Deputy Minister urged broadcasters to prioritize conversations about these policies, as they play a crucial role in the growth and development of the creative sector.
He highlighted the need for serious engagement on creative arts policies, just as is done for other government policies.
“I called my Senior brother Kwame Sefa Kayi a few days ago and asked him why is it that when the government brings out policies on Creative Arts you don’t discuss them on your show.? Then you discuss the policies on your entertainment shows… Policies are different from the shows that are being staged..so the policies on the Creative Arts must be discussed like the way policies about Agric are being discussed.”
Story by: Joycelyn Glory | univers.ug.edu.gh
