We are not convinced by political pledges-creatives react to NPP/NDC manifestoes
THE two major political parties, New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), have unveiled their respective 2024 manifestos each promising transformative changes for the country’s creative arts industry.
However, these pledges, though ambitious, have been met with a wave of scepticism from industry insiders who question whether these promises are genuine or mere vote-winning tactics.
The NPP’s manifesto is packed with promises, including tax incentives, a flat tax for creative enterprises, and policies to boost private sector investments in tourism and creative arts infrastructure. They also pledge to implement an e-visa policy for all international visitors and establish a streaming and digital management platform for Ghanaian content creators.
On the other hand, the NDC manifesto focuses on enhancing tourism, reviewing and enforcing broadcasting, digital media and local content laws to stimulate local artistic productions, and improve the management and collection of copyrights and royalties.
However, these two manifestos have generated a wave of scepticism among stakeholders in the sector, with many questioning whether these promises will materialise or remain mere political rhetorics.
In separate interviews with Graphic Showbiz, some stakeholders within the industry expressed doubts about the sincerity of these commitments, stating that they were merely a strategy to win votes.
The President of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), Kojo Preko Dankwa, is of the opinion that the manifesto promises were mere electioneering tactics that would not lead to concrete development.
According to him, they will vanish into thin air as soon as the elections are over. “The 2024 manifestos on the creative sector presented by both political parties have serious deficits and lack progress for the industry. Comparing the 2020 manifesto promises to that of 2024, the value is the same. They are not real and practicable.