Congratulations with a call to Action: Strengthening Ghana’s Creative Economy – FOCAP

As an advocacy group dedicated to the growth and sustainability of Ghana’s creative sector, we wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts for taking a significant step forward in setting up the various boards under the creative domains and appointing executive secretaries to lead them. Also, with emphasis on the launch of the Black Star Experience initiative and secretariat

This milestone represents a renewed commitment to recognising the arts, culture and creative industries as vital drivers of national identity, socio-economic development and global competitiveness. The establishment of these boards creates a framework for accountability, coordination and strategic direction—elements that have long been advocated for by stakeholders across the sector.

For years, creative professionals, musicians, filmmakers, writers, visual artists, performers, designers and cultural entrepreneurs have highlighted the urgent need for structured leadership. The appointment of executive secretaries under each domain provides the opportunity to align policy with practice, ensure better resource allocation and elevate Ghana’s creative products to the international stage. It also signals to both local and international investors that the government is ready to engage the creative economy in a more organised and results-oriented way.

While we commend this progress, it is important to emphasise that there is still a lot of room for improvement. The boards and executive secretaries will need to avoid becoming symbolic figures and instead serve as catalysts for transformation. To succeed, they must work closely with practitioners, unions, associations and private sector players in ensuring inclusivity and transparency.

There must also be clarity on the mandate, funding structures and expected deliverables of each board. Without well-defined roadmaps and timelines, the energy of this new initiative risks being diluted.

Low-Hanging Fruits That Can Be Achieved Quickly

In the short term, the Ministry and the newly appointed leaders can make a meaningful impact by addressing some low-hanging fruit:

Stakeholder Engagement Forums:

Establish quarterly dialogue platforms where practitioners can meet directly with the boards to share ideas, challenges and solutions.

Data Collection & Research:

Commission a baseline survey of Ghana’s creative industries to provide accurate data for planning, advocacy, and international positioning.

Capacity Building Programs:

Organise workshops on copyright, digital distribution, event management and global market access to equip creatives with essential skills.

Infrastructure Revitalisation:

Begin with visible, achievable projects such as refurbishing cultural centres, regional theatres or community arts spaces.

Access to Funding & Grants:

Launch small but impactful grant schemes or partnerships with banks and financial institutions tailored for creative entrepreneurs.

Copyright and Royalty Systems:

Improve transparency and efficiency in royalty collection and distribution, which remains one of the most pressing concerns of artists.

We are encouraged by this bold step and remain committed to offering constructive support, policy ideas and collaboration opportunities. The creative economy holds enormous potential to create jobs, foster tourism and project Ghana’s image globally. With the right mix of vision, accountability and action, the work of these boards and executive secretaries can spark a new era of growth for our sector.

Once again, we congratulate the Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on this achievement, while calling on all stakeholders, public and private, to ensure that this momentum is not lost. The creative community is ready to contribute; what is needed now is sustained action, innovation, and a collective will to see Ghana’s creative economy thrive.

Signed,

Kojo Preko Dankwa

President FOCAP

0550077040

Mel Kwesi Davis

Vice President FOCAP

0246550298

Enoch Agyepong

Vice President,  Research.

0244712136.