Action Year Without The Arts Is Bodus

As if I was responsible for absenting myself from the president`s meet the press period to beat home his action year, my phone will not cease ringing as people from all walks of life kept asking why I am not there as an editor of a newspaper.

Whiles these calls were coming from left, right, centre, I was in the comfort of my home enjoying the hide and seek which was being played by His Excellency John Evans Fiifi Attah Mills and the media people.

It was fan and pain at the same time. Fan because I knew my colleagues in the inky fraternity were flexing their muscles live on national TV solidifying our fourth estate abode. Again, it was painful because none of the media people there asked a question bordering on the arts industry. Why should it be that way? I congratulated the president for his strength especially when he had to stand throughout the period sweating like a pregnant fish.

Politicians and people in government should not forget entirely that the arts and entertainment sector can also generate some revenue for the country. Why do leaders of this country make things look as if sports and politics are the only things we need in the country for development. Though I was not there, I am highly convinced that during their drinking and eating session, there will be some soothing music from men like Kwabena Kwabena, Kojo Antwi, Kweisey Pee, Dady Lumba and of course many gospel songs to thank God for that success they have achieved.

These people whose songs they will be using to wind down were not there to ask questions about their ailing industry and what the government will be doing to salvage their plight. I developed liking for the president but the thought of ignoring the arts in his roll call makes me sick. How I wish there is somebody there on my level pegging to direct my fury on.

The good book says we should respect authorities so I will limit my salvo to avoid any curse on me. If somebody is reading and is close to the president`s press secretary, I would wish another gathering be organized for only the arts and entertainment industry.

If they don`t, Flex newspaper will pray for a strike action on musicians who perform on political platforms, sound engineers who record songs for their campaigns to put a halt to them since they are only taking advantage of them. Somebody tell DJ Amess that my documents were being processed for the gathering but it was never completed. DJ, that explains why I was not there to ask questions on behalf of our people.