There’s been no commitment to Creative Arts in the last 8 Years — Baba Sadiq

Ghanaian entertainment entrepreneur and politician Baba Sadiq has expressed frustration over the lack of substantial support for the creative arts industry from the government.

In an interview with TV3, Sadiq criticized the government for failing to make significant commitments to promote growth in the sector.

Sadiq highlighted the untried potential of Ghana’s creative arts industry and stressed that while opportunities for growth and progress exist, the sector has not received the necessary support from key state actors over the past eight years.

“There’s an opportunity for growth, there’s an opportunity for progress. It’s just that in the last eight years, we’ve expected so much more from key state actors whose decisions are supposed to drive the sector and enable growth in the way that we’re expecting it,” he said.

He emphasized that the creative arts industry has significant potential for creating employment, particularly for youth and women.

With proper tools and training, he noted that individuals can start their own careers and businesses in the industry.

“The creative industry has always held the key for employment, for youth employment, and particularly employing a lot more women. It’s one of the industries where once you train a particular individual, you do not necessarily have to employ him by giving them the necessary tools. They could start on their own today,” Sadiq explained.

Sadiq also noted that many industry professionals, such as camera operators and makeup artists, have successfully launched their own businesses and are thriving.

He referenced the growing demand for services at events, such as photography and makeup, as evidence of the industry's potential.

“When you look at a wedding or social event budget today, and you look at the charges of a photographer, you look at the charges of a makeup artist, you look at the charges of the PA guy, you look at the charges of the MC, we’ve come full circle in the industry. So the opportunity for the rich to employ a lot more people and provide employment to young people is there. But a few things need to be done to be able to enable it and put it on that proper platform for it to grow,” he added.

Sadiq argued that with adequate support, the creative arts industry could become a major driver of employment in the country.