Don’t discuss govt’s creative art policies only on entertainment shows – Okraku Mantey to radio presenters

The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, has urged radio presenters to allocate more airtime to discussing government policies related to the creative arts industry, similar to other policies.

The National Theatre on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, held its Annual Conference of Performing Arts

The conference, themed “We Have Value: Building Bridges to Success,” brought together key stakeholders from the creative arts industry to discuss challenges and potential solutions.

Attendees included figures like Adjetey Anang, Apiorkor Seyram, Abeiku Seigo, Stephanie Yamoah, and the Board Chair of the National Theatre, Nana Fredua Agyemang Ofori Atta.

In his address, Mark Okraku Mantey expressed concern over the lack of attention given to government policies on creative arts by radio presenters.

He compared this to the extensive coverage of other policies and urged presenters to prioritize the discussion of initiatives aimed at supporting the creative sector.

“I called my Senior brother Kwame Sefa Kayi a few days ago and asked him why is it that when the government brings out policies on Creative Arts you don’t discuss them on your show.? Then you discuss the policies on your entertainment shows… Policies are different from the shows that are being staged..so the policies on the Creative Arts must be discussed like the way policies about Agric are being discussed”. He said

The Deputy Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture Minister acknowledged that a rich performing arts industry is vital to a thriving cultural landscape and that public policy must nurture it.