Arts and culture will propel Ghana’s economy -Nana Addo

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed, “the next NPP government, God willing, will give the arts and culture industry the proper attention and incentives to flourish and also to create jobs and wealth for our people."

The former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South Constituency further noted that “the cultural policy developed and adopted under the Kufuor [former president] government will be actively implemented to give our culture pride of place in our national development."

Addressing a gathering at the Arts and Cultural Center in Kumasi to outline the NPP’s policies for the creative arts industry, Nana Addo said he will create a data base for the nation’s cultural assets.

"We shall build a detailed inventory of all our cultural assets; this inventory will include all of Ghana’s tangible assets and intangible cultural assets like rites of passages, values and belief systems which are in danger of disappearing completely with ageing traditional custodians."

"Once a full picture is obtained we shall set about improving the existing infrastructure to enable our tangible cultural assets to be effectively promoted. We will increase the budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture and ensure implementations so that the cultural centres dotted around the country are renovated to international standards. We will reactivate all district cultural centres to serve as places to learn and top showcase our cultural identities to visitors and to ourselves."

According to the NPP presidential candidate the next NPP government will also support traditional leaders, who he said are the pivot and custodians of our culture to protect our cultural values and systems.

“Under the ministry of chieftaincy and culture we will establish a new department specifically to oversee the development of all creative industries, as well as draft a national creative development plan."

“The National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) will also be placed with the creative people in the same ministry,” he added.

Nana Addo also revealed his commitment to give support to the film industry so that they can compete international. “The next NPP government will enact legislation that preserves and protects Ghana’s cultural assets."