Connect with us

Politics

[WATCH] Creative Sector Deserves Better: FOCAP Reacts to President Mahama’s Remarks

Published

on

The Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) has expressed disappointment over recent remarks made by President John Dramani Mahama concerning Ghana’s creative sector.

At the recent media briefing on the State of the Nation, His Excellency President Mahama admitted what we, as creatives, have always known: the creative sector is one of the fastest-growing employers of talent in Ghana. He further promised that allocations will be made to the sector in the next national budget.

The Foundation of Concerned Art Professionals (FOCAP) welcomes this recognition, but we must ask the critical question on behalf of every musician, filmmaker, fashion designer, performer and cultural entrepreneur:

 

If the creative sector is truly this vital, why was it not prioritised and resourced in his very first year in office?

 

Ghana is not only the land of gold, cocoa and oil. We are the Black Star of Africa, a nation whose creativity shines brighter than any resource underground. Our music is heard across continents, our fashion graces global runways, our film and theatre shape narratives, and our festivals attract thousands of visitors each year. The creative sector not only tells our story it creates jobs, fuels tourism and places Ghana firmly on the global stage.

 

Yet, despite this power, our sector continues to suffer from underfunding and neglect in national planning and development.

 

Around the world, the Orange Economy — the global term for creative and cultural industries has proven its value. In Latin America alone, it contributes billions of dollars annually to GDP, creates millions of jobs and has become a strategic pillar for development. Why should Ghana, with its wealth of talent and cultural capital, lag?

 

FOCAP is clear: Acknowledgement without action is not progress. We cannot celebrate rhetoric while policies and budgets remain slow to respond. For the creative sector to reach its potential, there must be:

 

* Sustained budget allocation — not one-off promises.

 

* Creative infrastructure investment — theatres, studios, performance spaces.

 

* Policy reforms that protect intellectual property and support creative entrepreneurs.

 

* Public-private partnerships that scale Ghana’s cultural exports.

 

The youth are ready. The talent is abundant. The world is already watching Ghana. What is missing is the bold political will to invest and transform our creative energy into economic power.

 

FOCAP therefore calls on all stakeholders — government, private sector, development partners, and the Ghanaian public — to treat the creative economy as a frontline sector, not an afterthought.

 

If Ghana is to truly live up to its name as the Black Star, then we must invest in the sector that makes us shine.

 

This is not the time for promises — this is the time for action, urgency and accountability.

 

FOCAP invites all creatives, industry stakeholders, and citizens to join us in demanding urgent investment in the creative sector. Together, let’s amplify the call until words become policy and policy becomes action.

 

Hashtags:

#FOCAPAdvocacy

#OrangeEconomy

#InvestInCreatives

#BlackStarPower

 

Signed,

Kojo Preko Dankwa

President FOCAP

0550077040

 

Mel Kwesi Davis

Vice President FOCAP

0246550298

 

Enoch Agyepong

Vice President, Research.

0244712136.

Politics

NPP Treasurer Denies Dues Diversion Claims, Warns Against Fake Payment Shortcode

Published

on

The Office of the National Treasurer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by Dr. Charles Dwamena, has firmly dismissed allegations circulating on social media that party dues are being diverted into a private account through an unauthorized shortcode.

In a statement addressing the claims, the Office described the reports, which originated from a Facebook page known as “Wo Boooowa,” as false, malicious, and intended to discredit the party’s ongoing dues collection efforts.

The Treasurer’s Office clarified that the NPP’s official shortcode for dues payment remains unchanged and is 920270#. It stressed that the alternative shortcode 7142028#, currently being circulated online, has never been used by the party for any financial transactions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Party’s dues collection shortcode has always been 920270#,” the statement reiterated.

Party members, supporters, and the general public have been urged to ignore the unauthorized code, which the Office described as a deliberate attempt to mislead unsuspecting individuals.

The Office further assured stakeholders of the transparency, credibility, and integrity of the party’s financial systems.

This incident underscores increasing concerns about the spread of misinformation on social media, particularly within political circles, as the NPP approaches its internal elections.

Continue Reading

Politics

FROM VISION TO ACTION: DR. CHINA’S GRASSROOTS REVOLUTION THE NPP CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS

Published

on

Dr. Charles Dwamena, popularly known as Dr. China, has distinguished himself as a visionary and grassroots-centered leader whose ideas reflect a deep understanding of the realities of party members at the base. At a time when many speak about empowering the grassroots, he has demonstrated the courage and clarity to design practical systems that directly improve their welfare.

 

As NPP National Treasurer, his proposal of the Group Accident Insurance Scheme remains one of the most forward-thinking policies ever introduced within the party. It was simple, sustainable, and impactful. With just GHS 1.47 deducted from the minimum annual dues of GHS 24, every member in good standing would have been covered, guaranteeing GHS 100,000 for accidental death or permanent disability, weekly income support for temporary disability, and up to GHS 10,000 in medical care. This was not merely a welfare policy; it was a strategic intervention that combined member protection with financial strengthening of the party.

 

What makes this initiative even more compelling is that it enjoyed 98.14% support from the grassroots. A clear indication that Dr. China’s leadership resonates with the base and responds directly to their needs. It was a rare opportunity for the party to institutionalize care, build loyalty, and create a strong emotional bond with its members.

 

Yet, despite its overwhelming support and obvious benefits, this policy was frustrated and never implemented. That failure represents one of the biggest missed opportunities for the NPP, a chance to move from rhetoric to reality in addressing grassroots welfare. The party had before it a ready-made solution to protect its members, motivate its base, and strengthen its internal systems, but internal bottlenecks denied it that breakthrough.

 

It is within this context that Dr. China’s ambition to serve as NPP General Secretary becomes both relevant and urgent. His experience as Treasurer has exposed the gaps in execution and the structural constraints that stall progress. More importantly, it has strengthened his resolve to fix them.

 

Dr. China is not offering promises; he is offering proven ideas waiting to be implemented. His vision is clear—to build a party where the grassroots are not only mobilized during elections but are protected, valued, and supported at all times.

 

In essence, what was halted at the level of Treasurer can be fully realized at the level of General Secretary. And for a party seeking renewal and reconnection with its base, Dr. China represents a practical, results-oriented leadership, one that turns vision into action and places the grassroots at the center of party progress.

 

DR CHINA FOR NPP GENERAL SECRETARY IS NON- NEGOTIABLE

Obiri Yeboah

Former Polling Station Organizer

054 067 3993

Continue Reading

Politics

If Trump Can Destroy Iran, Why Not Just Open the Strait of Hormuz?

Published

on

Kaakyire Badu writes:

Donald Trump has threatened to wipe out Iran within hours. He said he will destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges, and even wipe out an entire civilization. But Tehran is not showing fear. Iranian officials are pushing back, and many people are asking if the U.S. is bluffing, and if Iran is ready to call that bluff. This situation raises two main questions.

 

First, if this is really about the Strait of Hormuz and Trump wants it open, and if he truly has the power to destroy bridges, power plants, or an entire country as he claims, why doesn’t he use that power on the Strait alone? Why threaten the whole nation instead of just taking control of that waterway so ships can pass? Does this mean Iran is so strong at the Strait of Hormuz that even American power cannot do anything there?

 

Second, Iran’s reaction is strange. When faced with threats to destroy power plants, bridges, and send the country back to the Stone Age, Tehran still looks calm. A country that is weaker militarily would usually try to back down. Iran is instead waiting to see what Trump will do. Is that confidence, a mistake, or are they hiding something?

 

Does Iran have some hidden power that can match or beat the U.S., and they are just staying quiet and playing weak while they wait? America has said Iran must not build nuclear weapons. Could it be that Iran has already built a nuclear weapon in secret—one that America does not know about—that can reach the U.S. and kill many people? Would that explain why they are not afraid?

 

Or could it be that other countries like Russia or China are secretly backing Iran? Are they promising to help Iran so it will not surrender? Something about this does not add up, and the whole world could be affected. Many people are now talking about World War III.

 

My own belief, based on the Bible, is that there will not be a real World War III. I believe God would step in before that happens. But things do look strange right now. It could also be that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled, and that God is hardening hearts like He did with Pharaoh. Pharaoh had a simple way to save Egypt and his family, but he could not obey, and disaster came on him and on Israel.

I think we should be concerned:

That may be the pattern we are seeing now.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2026 KPDOnline. Powered by AfricaBusinessFile