Creative Sector Under Review: Assessing 1 Year, 7 Months of Government Performance

Nineteen months after assuming office, the government’s stewardship of Ghana’s creative sector is under increasing scrutiny as industry stakeholders assess whether campaign promises have translated into meaningful reforms and measurable growth.

The creative industry, comprising music, film, television, fashion, theatre, visual arts, publishing, digital content creation and cultural tourism, has long been regarded as a vital pillar of Ghana’s economy. Beyond preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage, the sector employs thousands of young people and contributes significantly to tourism, innovation and entrepreneurship.

When the administration took office, expectations were high. Government pledged to reposition the creative economy as a major contributor to national development through improved infrastructure, policy reforms, enhanced funding opportunities, stronger copyright protection and increased international promotion of Ghanaian creative products.

Nearly two years into its mandate, opinions remain divided. While government officials point to increased stakeholder engagements, policy consultations and efforts to promote Ghanaian culture on the international stage, many creatives argue that the pace of implementation has fallen short of expectations.

Government’s Key Achievements

One of the most noticeable developments has been increased engagement between government and players within the creative industry. Ministries and state agencies have held consultations with musicians, filmmakers, actors, fashion designers, visual artists and creative entrepreneurs to gather views on policy reforms and industry priorities.

Government has also maintained support for cultural festivals and national events aimed at promoting Ghana’s heritage while encouraging tourism and local economic activity. These events have continued to showcase Ghanaian arts and traditions to both domestic and international audiences.

Officials have further highlighted Ghana’s participation in international cultural exhibitions, trade fairs and entertainment events as part of efforts to position the country as a leading creative and cultural destination in Africa.

Discussions have also begun on reforms relating to copyright protection, institutional restructuring and investment in the creative economy. Industry observers acknowledge these conversations as important first steps, although many insist that discussions must now be followed by concrete implementation.

Persistent Challenges

Despite these efforts, longstanding challenges continue to affect the growth of Ghana’s creative economy.

Limited access to affordable financing remains one of the biggest concerns. Many musicians, filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs say they continue to rely on personal savings or expensive loans to fund projects, with few dedicated financing schemes available to support the industry.

Infrastructure also remains inadequate. Stakeholders have repeatedly called for modern film studios, performance theatres, exhibition centers, rehearsal spaces and creative hubs capable of supporting world-class productions.

Copyright infringement continues to deprive artists of revenue. Musicians, filmmakers and content creators argue that weak enforcement allows piracy to flourish, reducing earnings and discouraging investment in original content.

The sector also continues to grapple with fragmented institutional structures, with industry leaders advocating stronger coordination among agencies responsible for arts, culture, tourism and copyright administration.

Promises Yet to Be Fully Realised

Several commitments made to transform the creative economy remain works in progress.

Industry stakeholders say they are still waiting for dedicated financing programmes for creatives, large-scale investment in creative infrastructure, stronger tax incentives for creative businesses, comprehensive reforms to royalty collection systems and policies aimed at improving the welfare of artists.

While government has maintained that structural reforms require time, many practitioners believe visible progress should be more evident after one year and seven months in office.

Mixed Reactions from Stakeholders

Reaction across the industry has been varied.

Some creative leaders commend government for increasing dialogue with stakeholders and recognizing the economic importance of the creative sector. They believe continued engagement could lead to stronger policies if backed by sustained implementation.

Others, however, argue that consultations alone are insufficient. They are calling for practical interventions that create jobs, improve access to finance, strengthen copyright enforcement and attract private investment into the sector.

Several filmmakers have renewed calls for production incentives and studio infrastructure, while musicians continue to advocate improved royalty systems and broader international market access. Fashion entrepreneurs, visual artists and digital creators have also appealed for export support and business development initiatives.

Performance Assessment

An assessment of the government’s performance over the past 19 months presents a mixed picture.

Progress has been recorded in stakeholder engagement, cultural promotion and policy discussions. However, implementation of major reforms has been slower than many industry players anticipated. Key challenges—including funding constraints, inadequate infrastructure and weak copyright enforcement—remain largely unresolved.

The overall performance of the administration in the creative sector can best be described as moderate, with notable progress in planning and engagement but limited evidence of transformative structural change.

Looking Ahead

As the government approaches the midpoint of its term, expectations within the creative industry remain high. Stakeholders say the next phase must prioritise implementation over policy announcements, with greater emphasis on financing, infrastructure, institutional reforms, intellectual property protection and private-sector partnerships.

The coming months are expected to be critical in determining whether the administration can convert its vision for the creative economy into measurable outcomes that improve the livelihoods of artists, creators and cultural entrepreneurs.

For many within the industry, the true measure of success will not be the number of meetings held or policies announced, but the tangible impact those initiatives have on employment, investment, innovation and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s creative sector.