Entertainment pundit cum event organiser, Whitney Boakye-Mensah, has expressed disappointment with the NPP manifesto noting, that it appears to lack substantial and transformative policies for the creative arts sector.
She made these statements while questioning why NPP's flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's manifesto does not mention or indicate the intentions to continue the 'Year of Return' and 'Beyond the Return' initiatives, which have boosted the country's economy since its inception.
Whitney, among others, also queried why the Women's Trade Empowerment Fund intended to support women-owned businesses, wasn't directed at the creative arts sector as well.
"I saw something in the manifesto about the intentions to establish a Women's Trade Empowerment Fund to support women-owned businesses. So I asked myself if the creative arts don't need this kind of thing. When they were creating the manifesto, they usually seek the opinions of people in the party. (points to the NPP reps in the studio) OB Nartey and Frank were you both part?
She continued, "One of the things that you can never take away from this government is the 'Year of Return' and the 'Beyond the Return' initiatives, the avenues it has opened for this country, and the revenues it has created. I am surprised in a manifesto like this, there isn't any continuation or mention of it. Is it that it just belongs to the Akufo-Addo government and there won't be anything at all on it, in the Bawumia-led administration."
She also lamented about the creative arts sector's inability to hold the government accountable like other organizations, adding that the sector seems primarily focused on personal interests.
"Can we hold the government to ransom like how other bodies hold them to ransom? because at the end of the day, it's about the personal interest and not the industry
"It's quite sad that after every four years, politicians set us up to fight among ourselves to benefit them but not the creative arts industry. It happens only during elections. After the election, everybody goes quiet after whichever party wins. It means we are only beneficial during elections," she added.
After Whitney's submissions, one of the NPP guests in the studio sought to calm her down by saying, "I want you to take heart, all the things you have mentioned are things we are considering. It will be done."
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