Creative Industry Deserves Better, Not Silence – Socrate Safo Tells Government

Veteran Ghanaian filmmaker and creative arts advocate Socrate Safo has criticized the government for failing to address the needs of Ghana’s creative industry in the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, describing the omission as another indication that the sector continues to be neglected.

According to Safo, the mid-year budget presentation should have provided an opportunity for the government to update Ghanaians on measures being taken to support the creative economy, particularly the Creative Arts Fund, which was announced in the 2026 Budget Statement with a seed allocation of GH¢20 million.

He recalled that the announcement of the fund generated excitement and renewed hope among stakeholders, including filmmakers, musicians, actors, theatre practitioners, visual artists, fashion designers, publishers, and thousands of creative entrepreneurs who have long called for meaningful government support.

However, six months after the announcement, Safo said the Finance Minister’s presentation to Parliament made no mention of the Creative Arts Fund. He noted that there was no information on whether the funds had been released, how they were being managed, who had benefited, or what implementation roadmap had been developed.

“This silence is not just disappointing; it raises serious questions about the place of the creative industry in Ghana’s national development agenda,” he stated.

Safo argued that many countries are deliberately investing in their creative economies because they recognize the sector as a major driver of economic growth, job creation, exports, tourism, and innovation. He cited countries such as South Korea, Nigeria, and Rwanda, saying they have positioned their creative industries as key contributors to national development, while Ghana continues to treat the sector as an afterthought.

He also criticized political leaders for remembering the creative industry only during election campaigns, when musicians produce campaign songs, actors and filmmakers create promotional content, and creative professionals help mobilize voters.

“Once elections are over and budgets are presented, the industry disappears from the national conversation. This must change,” he stressed.

Safo further questioned the lack of accountability surrounding the Creative Arts Fund, insisting that since it involves public resources, government has a responsibility to provide updates on its implementation.

He asked government to answer key questions, including whether the fund has been established, whether any money has been disbursed, which projects have received support, what impact has been achieved, and the reasons for any delays.

He emphasized that these are not political questions but matters of transparency, accountability, and good governance.

According to Safo, a resilient Ghanaian economy cannot be built while overlooking the creative sector. He called for the industry to be fully integrated into national economic planning with measurable targets, regular progress reports, and sustained investment.

He urged industry stakeholders to use the omission in the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review as a wake-up call and demand more than promises from successive governments.

“The creative industry does not seek favours. It seeks recognition as a legitimate economic sector capable of creating jobs, generating revenue, promoting tourism, preserving our culture, and projecting Ghana’s image to the world,” he said.

Safo concluded by warning that until both the current and future governments give the creative economy the attention it deserves, Ghana will continue to lose billions of cedis in untapped economic potential.

“The time for speeches has passed. The time for action is now,” he declared.