The Chairman of the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO), Rex Omar has lamented on why successive governments have neglected the Arts industry despite their continuous campaign promises.
He, however, observed that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is the only President that did a lot for the Arts industry.
He bemoaned how successive governments have somehow neglected the creative arts industry for other disciplines such as sports and football emphasizing the importance of the arts and how it’s a milk cow for developed countries.
“In fact, whatever Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah even created, they’ve (successive governments) sold it.
“The country called Ghana does not take the Arts serious. If you saw me making political commentary or coming on the frontline politics, it’s because of this. This is a sector of the economy as a country we have neglected completely and I just don’t understand,” Rex Omar added
Rex Omar, speaking on Joy Fm on Saturday further stressed that apart from Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who visibly and practically did something for the creative arts, successive governments have not done much in terms of infrastructure, policies that will attract needed investments unlike they invest in sports.
“Look at the other developed countries, creative are in the lead but when it comes to Ghana, nothing. We are getting to 30 million people we have only one theater in Accra that takes 1,500 people which was donated to us by Chinese so on our own what theater have we built for ourselves.
“We are the same people who are building stadiums all over the place. It means that we have our preferences and we are not interested in developing the creative arts.” He added
The veteran musician, Rex Omar, however, noted that the Arts industry is replete with opportunities and potentials and when given all the support, will project and change the economy of the country Ghana.