Stakeholders comment on govt’s budget of GHS 2m to creative industry

Four days after government’s allocation of GHS 2m to the creative industry, there have been diverse thoughts on how the money should be used to boost the industry.

Stakeholders in the industry are excited about the announcement describing it as historic.

A contestant in the recent race for the Musiga Presidency, Willie Roy, has expressed excitement at the allocation of money to the creative industry on Wednesday.

Willie told Hitz FM that it is a good start for the industry and he thinks the monies should be used to establish centre’s all over the country that will make distribution more effective.

He explained that they (musicians) do not feel anything because they make the music and publicize them but do not have avenue outlets to sell the products they make.

He advised that the monies should also be used for developmental structures and the rest of the money can then be put into productions which he believes will bring good returns so government will see the profits gotten from what they invested in.

He also advised that the people who will disburse the funds should not politicize or personalize the funds but think about the future of the industry.

He noted that he will be watching where the monies go to. Willie advised that the stakeholders should discuss how best the monies can be used to boost the industry.

Meanwhile the PRO for the Film Producers association of Ghana, Socrate Sarfo has also congratulated the government for the money.

He indicated that as an industry, they need to set their priorities right and know what to use the monies for.

In his opinion, he advised that the money allocated to the industry should be used to fight piracy in order to boost the works of the industry.

He noted that if all the money can be channeled in fighting piracy it will bring the industry more market and boost production; and the confidence of the performance and investors will be strenghened to be able to stand on their feet.

He added that most of the Ghanaian movies sold abroad are pirated movies and if the art industry is able to fight against the piracy, they will be able to make profits from what they work hard to achieve.

Socrates who is currently in the United States also advised that the industry should not just jubilate about the money but make sure the monies are released when needed.