Entertainment
[FULL RELEASE] FOCAP’s One-Year Scorecard on President Mahama Administration’s Performance in the Creative Arts Sector
The Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), a pressure and advocacy group, has spent the past year closely observing the Mahama administration. After twelve months in office, we believe it is only fair to present an annual assessment of government performance, particularly in relation to the Creative Arts Sector.
To begin, FOCAP commends President Mahama and the Minister for Finance for the relative stability and improvement of the economy. The strengthening of the cedi has had a positive impact on creatives, especially those who rely on dollar-denominated online subscriptions and digital platforms. This relief is acknowledged and appreciated, and we hope the cedi continues this upward trajectory.
That said, economic gains alone were not the reason creatives overwhelmingly voted for this government. The Creative Arts Sector voted based on clear, documented promises contained in the NDC’s official manifesto, and it is against this document that we must now assess performance.
Over the past one year, the administration executed several interventions, which we believe are Achievements:
Ghana’s National Theatre in Accra is scheduled for a major refurbishment starting in 2026, which we believe is a major milestone since it has been long overdue.
Funding was secured in 2025, with the Chinese government committing 30 million dollars for the project, with the Ghanaian government also allocating funds in the 2026 budget.
In 2025, the John Dramani Mahama-led government appointed the first-ever Executive Secretary for the Creative Arts Agency (CAA) as well as the board members since Act 1048 was gazetted. The erstwhile NPP government failed to appoint an executive secretary and a board, and rather, the President’s daughter, Gyankroma Akuffo Addo, illegally occupied the position.
Ghs20 million allocated in the 2026 budget as seed capital to support various creative industries and their value chain. This is a promise President John Dramani Mahama made in 2025 when he met the press at Jubilee House.
Under the NDC and John Dramani Mahama government, they appointed more creatives into governance to play critical roles, and we believe this is very commendable. The President, in his 120 days, promised and delivered the launch of Black Star Experience, which is the banner of the creative, tourism, and cultural manifesto of the NDC.
In 2025, Ghana’s fashion contributed about $2.42 billion to the national economy, according to the minister for tourism, culture, and creative arts.
A listening government: FOCAP raised issues of the Creative Arts Agency website, which was directed to a private website, and it was fixed to bring stability and discipline within the agency.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, actively started working to revive the Kumawood film industry, which faced struggles, by establishing a ministerial committee to revive the industry. A 17-member committee was established in 2025. This has led to the formation of the Kumawood Ashanti Film Association.
GTDC launched Accra by Night, a popular government-backed night tour initiative offering an immersive experience of a tour of Ghana’s capital, highlighting culture and history.
Establishment of a Black Star Experience (BSE) office to serve as Ghana’s leading brand in culture, Arts, Tourism and creative engagement, bridging local and international audiences.
These are the achievements of the John Dramani Mahama-led administration over the one year they have been in office.
As we mentioned earlier, the Creative Arts Sector voted based on clear, documented promises contained in the NDC’s official manifesto, and it is against this document that we must now assess performance. We understand that a manifesto promise is scheduled to be achieved over the term of the administration, but as we say in the Ghanaian parlance, Agoro bɛso a, ɛfiri anɔpa! Literally: If the festival or carnival or party is entertaining, it starts in the morning.
The Black Star Experience: Promises vs. Reality
Under the Black Star Experience, the government promised the rollout of the following flagship programmes:
- Pan-African Month celebrates heritage, history, and diaspora engagement
- Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month
- Ghana Music World
- Culinary Month
- Architecture, Design, Arts and Crafts Month
- Fashion and Textiles Month
- Literacy/Literary Month
FOCAP states categorically that none of these initiatives were delivered or began within the first year of the administration. This is deeply disappointing. The only related activity, Taste the Culture, left much to be desired, and FOCAP has chosen, for now, to withhold comment on its execution.
Other Manifesto Promises
The second set of commitments included pledges to:
- Support young digital content creators to promote Ghanaian culture
- Revive the Creative Arts Fund to provide sustainable financial support for start-ups and struggling creative enterprises
- Review and strictly enforce broadcasting, digital media, and local content provisions
- Strengthen copyright administration and improve royalty collection and management
- Partner with the private sector to build an ultra-modern recreation village with auditoriums for films, concerts, and special events
Again, none of these promises were executed, or they began within the first year. This raises serious concerns about whether the Creative Arts Sector is being treated with the urgency and seriousness afforded to other sectors of the economy.
Indeed, all notable successes recorded in the sector over the past year were driven largely by individual artists, their management teams, and a handful of private sector sponsors, not by deliberate government intervention.
This is particularly troubling given that key appointments have already been made. The Creative Arts Agency now has a substantive board and an Executive Secretary, yet its core mandate, especially the registration of creative enterprises, has been neglected. Instead, the agency appears preoccupied with activities far removed from its primary responsibilities.
The government also pledged to support GHAMRO, yet ironically, GHAMRO recorded one of its lowest distributions in December.
FOCAP is fully aware of the immense job-creation potential of the Creative Arts Sector and believes the President himself understands this reality. We therefore appeal directly to H.E. John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture to take a personal and serious interest in the sector in the administration’s second year.
Additionally, the much-publicised promise of a new theatre in the Ashanti Region remains unfulfilled, with reports indicating that land for the project has not even been secured.
Indeed, under the one year of John Dramani Mahama, the creative sector never experienced any of these major achievements as espoused in their manifesto. FOCAP, we believe, this did not mark a good year for the government within the creative arts sector.
The manifesto outlined some low-hanging fruit that FOCAP believed should have taken off by now
1- local content creation initiatives to drive job opportunities
2- Collection management system or copyright and royalties in Ghana.
3-“Digital content creators, especially the young, to develop content that promotes Ghanaian culture
4- Introduce tax breaks for Creative Arts Artists who have tax identification numbers (TIN).
5- Annual stakeholder dialogue with people in the creative arts industry.
6- Special events channel for the Creative Arts programs on digital terrestrial television (DTT) with pay-per-view technology to encourage content development.
7- Special rates to be given at cultural events at the Blackstar Square, Accra International Conference Centre
and other venues owned by the government.
These are some low-hanging fruits we expected the government to act on in its first year, but little or zero was done.
We hope the government will speed up through its agencies and ministries to take action on their tangible blackstar manifesto.
FOCAP, as an advocacy and pressure group, has its eagle eyes open to see and equally help grow the Orange Economy to see its full potential.
FOCAP will, as always, keep a close and watchful eye on this administration, continually reminding it of the promises made to the Creative Arts Sector. We expect measurable progress in the second year because the first year’s performance was not as expected.
Assessment of the Sector Minister’s performance will be addressed separately to avoid conflating issues.
Entertainment
“God Had a Plan” — Stonebwoy Opens Up on Accident, Surgery and Rise to Fame
Ghanaian dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has opened up about the life-changing accident that nearly led to the amputation of his leg, revealing how the experience shaped his journey to becoming a successful musician.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Africa, Stonebwoy recalled the tragic incident that occurred on Sunday, January 19, 2003, when he was travelling with his father from Ashaiman to Akrabang.
According to the award-winning musician, he was still a young and vibrant teenager at the time and had plans to travel to the United States before the accident changed the course of his life.
“I wasn’t Stonebwoy by then. I was just a bubbly teenager who was travelling one Sunday with my dad. We were on our way from Ashaiman to Akrabang when we got into an accident,” he said.
Stonebwoy explained that the crash affected his dreams and left him facing a difficult recovery period. He spent about four months in the hospital and later had to continue seeking medical care while living with a damaged knee.
“I was in the hospital for, give and take, four months straight, and then coming back in and out. I had to live with a stiff knee. It was damaged for about 13 years,” he revealed.
The “Putuu” hitmaker said his condition was eventually treated in Germany in 2016, where he underwent surgery that involved a total knee replacement and the fitting of an artificial prosthesis.
“I had my surgery in Germany in 2016 and got the whole artificial prosthesis and a total knee replacement. We had to replace it,” Stonebwoy added.
Despite the physical challenges, Stonebwoy said he continued working hard and pursuing his music career, describing the experience as part of God’s plan for his life.
“Looking back, I believe all that experience was for a reason. It was like God taking me through something to become what He wanted me to become. Even while I was going through it, I was still hustling,” he said.
Stonebwoy’s story has become an inspiration to many, as he continues to use his journey of resilience and determination to motivate others facing challenges.
Entertainment
Stonebwoy Opens Up on His Children’s Reaction to His Music Videos
Ghanaian Afro-dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has revealed that some of his children do not enjoy watching his music videos because they are uncomfortable with the presence of female models featured in them.
The award-winning musician said his children have become closely connected to his creative process and often pay attention to the decisions he makes in his music career.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Africa, Stonebwoy explained that his daughter sometimes questions why women appear around him in his music videos.
“My daughter will watch a music video and tell her mom, ‘Why is this girl around my dad?’ She actually hates that,” he said.
According to the “Nominate” hitmaker, his children have grown up around music because they frequently spend time with him in the studio. Their exposure to his work has allowed them to understand the creative process and even contribute ideas.
Stonebwoy recalled recording his song “Silent Samurai” while his children were present in the studio. He said they quickly adapted to understanding what he was doing, despite their young ages.
“The time I recorded Silent Samurai in the studio, they were there, and they’ve quickly adapted to what their dad does, even at the ages of seven and eight,” he explained.
The musician added that his son once listened carefully to one of his songs and suggested a slight adjustment to one of the lines because he believed it would make the song better.
Stonebwoy noted that the early exposure to music has influenced his children’s ambitions, revealing that his son has expressed interest in becoming a musician like him.
He said when his son is asked about his future plans, he confidently says he wants to pursue music.
Beyond music and family, Stonebwoy also raised concerns about the growing lack of privacy faced by public figures.
The musician criticised the habit of people taking photos or recording celebrities without seeking permission, describing it as an increasing problem in society.
“One thing that actually annoys me is the invasion of privacy becoming a normal part of society. Anybody who sees you anywhere pulls out a phone first. There’s no, ‘Hello, can I please take a picture?’” he said.
Stonebwoy acknowledged that many people act out of excitement, but stressed that celebrities are also human beings who deserve respect and personal space.
“The excuse is that it’s out of excitement, but we are humans as well. When the tables turn, nobody is doing that to them,” he added.
Entertainment
M.anifest slams AI-generated songs, says using prompts kills creativity
Award-winning Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has criticised the growing use of artificial intelligence to create songs, arguing that musicians who rely entirely on AI prompts are stripping music of its human creativity.
Speaking during an interview on Woezor TV on July 29, 2026, M.anifest slams AI-generated songs by insisting that artificial intelligence should support the creative process rather than replace it.
According to the rapper, AI has a place in music production, but allowing it to generate complete songs undermines genuine artistic expression.
“I’m not trying to downplay it. It’s good for a lot of things. But I’m against it when it comes to the creative side. Use AI for things like production. But making songs with prompts? That’s terrible. You should be ashamed of yourself,” he said.
The award-winning musician stressed that while technology can improve production quality, the heart of music should always come from human imagination and originality.
He questioned whether songs created entirely by artificial intelligence can truly be considered art.
“I want to call out some people I’ve seen even in Ghana using prompts to do this. Letting AI write your whole songs. Where’s the human involvement? Without human involvement, is it art? It’s just artificial,” M.anifest said.
The rapper explained that he is not opposed to technological advancement but believes musicians should use AI responsibly without replacing their own creativity.
Beyond his concerns about creativity, M.anifest slams AI-generated songs by urging digital streaming platforms to clearly identify music created primarily through artificial intelligence.
He said listeners should have the freedom to decide whether they want to consume AI-generated music, comparing the proposal to the “Parental Advisory” labels previously used for albums containing explicit content.
“I think there should be freedom of choice. If you like AI music, that’s fine. But it should be identified as such. Then you have the option to decide if you like it or not,” he stated.
M.anifest also suggested that streaming platforms should introduce a feature allowing users to filter out AI-generated music from recommendations and playlists.
“Me personally, I would like to ban AI artists from my DSP. There should be a button where, if you don’t want to hear AI-generated music, it doesn’t appear. Those who want to hear it can. I have no interest in listening to AI-generated music,” he added.
Despite his strong criticism, the rapper reiterated that he supports artificial intelligence when it is used to enhance technical aspects of creative work, such as production, editing and post-production.
However, he maintained that AI should never replace the artist’s imagination, originality and emotional input.
With debates over artificial intelligence continuing to reshape the global music industry, M.anifest slams AI-generated songs as a reminder that, in his view, authentic music must always begin with human creativity.
Entertainment
Shatta Wale Explains Why He Rejected Record Labels and Chose an Independent Music Career
Ghanaian dancehall superstar Shatta Wale has opened up about why he has remained an independent artiste throughout his career, revealing that learning every aspect of the music business made him less dependent on traditional record labels.
The award-winning musician said his decision to stay independent was driven by his ability to manage key areas of his career, including music production, mixing, mastering, promotion and digital distribution, without relying on a record company.
According to Shatta Wale, taking full control of his music business has enabled him to generate income, save money and invest in other profitable ventures over the years.
Speaking about his journey, the On God hitmaker explained that he realised he was already performing many of the responsibilities typically handled by record labels.
“I found out I was doing everything a record label needed. Producing my own beats, mixing them, mastering them, doing my own flyers, uploading them on YouTube myself and on other stores myself because I’m a tech person, so I learnt all those things,” he said.
Shatta Wale noted that acquiring these skills gave him the confidence to run his career independently while building financial stability.
“I saw it from like 10 years ago that I could run myself properly and make money. I’ve been able to build that, save that money, even venture into playing games on my phone and winning bigger money with the same money. So I’ve flipped the money,” he stated.
Despite his preference for independence, the dancehall star acknowledged that record labels can play a significant role in helping musicians achieve international success through funding, marketing and industry connections.
However, he cautioned artistes to carefully understand the financial obligations and ownership arrangements that often accompany record deals.
“The advantage is that they can push you to become a superstar, but it’s up to you to maintain it. The money they put into you, you have to put it at the back of your mind that they are going to get a lot from you,” he explained.
Shatta Wale added that his years of experience in the music industry, coupled with ownership of his music catalogue and master recordings, have strengthened his position should he decide to partner with a record label in the future.
He stressed that retaining control over his music rights remains a top priority in any potential business agreement.
Shatta Wale’s remarks highlight his long-standing advocacy for artiste independence and underscore the importance of understanding the business side of the music industry before signing any record deal.
Source:Pulse
Entertainment
Ras Kuuku Says He Is Not Interested in White Women Despite Their Attention
Ghanaian reggae musician Ras Kuuku has revealed that he is not attracted to white women despite claims that some of them show interest in him because of his Rastafarian identity.
The reggae artiste, speaking in an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM, said his decision has nothing to do with his dreadlocks or appearance, explaining that he did not grow his Rasta hairstyle to attract white women.
According to Ras Kuuku, although he receives attention from white women, including through social media, he has chosen not to pursue relationships with them.
“I don’t like white women. I hear they like Rastafarians, but I didn’t grow my Rasta because of them. I don’t even want to have a white child. We are on different sides, and I want it to remain that way,” he said.
The Ghanaian reggae musician added that his position is influenced by his personal interpretation of biblical teachings, stating that he does not support interracial relationships.
Beyond his views on relationships, Ras Kuuku also shared his thoughts about travelling and living abroad.
The musician said Ghana remains a special place for him because of the freedom, weather conditions, and lifestyle the country offers.
He explained that whenever he travels outside Ghana, he misses the country’s environment and social atmosphere.
“What makes me miss Ghana whenever I travel is the freedom here. Outside, the laws are too strict. If not for the fact that their systems work, many people wouldn’t want to stay there,” he stated.
Ras Kuuku further described extreme weather conditions abroad as uncomfortable, noting that both cold and hot seasons can be difficult to endure.
He said Africa is blessed with favourable weather, which is one of the reasons he always looks forward to returning home after international trips.
The reggae artiste concluded that despite the advantages of developed countries, Ghana’s freedom, climate, and way of life remain among the things he values most.
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