FOCAP Questions Tourism Ministry’s Performance: The Black Star Experience Is Almost Invisible

The Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) has raised serious questions over the government’s progress in delivering its manifesto promises to Ghana’s creative arts, culture and tourism sector.

The concerns follow Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie’s appearance at the government’s accountability series at the Jubilee House, where she presented an account of her ministry’s work since the Mahama administration assumed office.

While FOCAP welcomed the opportunity for the minister to account for her stewardship, it said the presentation failed to address what it considers the most important question facing the sector: where are the government’s major manifesto promises?

FOCAP said its assessment of the sector one year into the Mahama administration resulted in a zero per cent score because, in its view, the government’s key commitments had not been sufficiently implemented.

Black Star Experience at the Centre of FOCAP’s Concerns

At the centre of FOCAP’s criticism is the Black Star Experience.

The organisation said the initiative was presented as a flagship year-round national programme designed to showcase Ghanaian film, music, fashion, heritage and other aspects of the country’s creative economy.

Although the programme was launched at the Black Star Square as part of President Mahama’s 100-day achievements, FOCAP said the launch has not been followed by the level of implementation expected from such a major manifesto commitment.

The organisation said the initiative is now “almost invisible” and continues to struggle for adequate institutional support and recognition.

FOCAP was also critical of what it described as the failure to properly acknowledge the coordinating office of the Black Star Experience, which it said is situated under the Office of the President.

The group maintained that the minister’s inability, in its view, to clearly address the Black Star Experience when questioned about it during the accountability session raises concerns about the ministry’s focus on the government’s core manifesto commitments.

Film Sector Target ‘Not an Achievement’

FOCAP also challenged the presentation of the National Film Authority’s plans to increase the film industry’s contribution to Ghana’s GDP from 0.2 per cent to one per cent.

The organisation said such a target represents an ambition rather than an achievement because the proposed increase has not yet been realised.

It cited the NFA’s Reviving Ghana’s Film Industry: A Vision for Growth document and argued that the document’s stated objective was to engage one per cent of Ghana’s population in local cinema culture within two years through improved distribution and exhibition.

FOCAP therefore questioned whether the GDP target was being presented in a manner that could give the impression of an accomplishment when it remains a medium-term objective.

The group also rejected the idea that activities such as the National Film Dialogue should be treated as major achievements under the government’s manifesto, describing such initiatives as routine sector activities.

Creative Arts Fund Raises Questions

The GH¢40 million Creative Arts Fund was another area addressed by FOCAP.

The organisation said it welcomed the inclusion of the seed funding in the 2026 budget, describing it as consistent with the government’s promise to establish a creative arts fund.

However, it stressed that the fund requires the appropriate legislative framework before it can be fully operationalised and disbursed.

FOCAP consequently questioned why the National Film Authority had started inviting enterprises to access a GH¢5 million seed fund while the Creative Arts Agency had not commenced a similar process.

It called for clarification on the legal basis and implementation process surrounding the funding.

Creators Still Waiting for Support

FOCAP further pointed to government commitments to support young digital content creators.

According to the organisation, the manifesto promised structured support to enable young creators to develop commercially viable content and thrive in the digital economy.

FOCAP said that despite the rapid growth of Ghana’s online creative community, there is still no clearly identifiable government platform, programme or dedicated funding line addressing this promise.

The organisation also raised concerns about copyright protection.

It said stronger copyright enforcement was promised to protect artists and creators from piracy and unauthorised monetisation of their works but argued that the sector has yet to see visible strengthening of enforcement mechanisms.

 Routine Work Cannot Replace Manifesto Delivery

FOCAP said the ministry must distinguish between routine administrative work and the implementation of manifesto promises.

“The normal sector ministry work and procedural work should not be seen and termed as achievements,” the organisation argued, insisting that the government must instead demonstrate how it is delivering the commitments made to industry stakeholders.

The group said the biggest frustration was not only the major projects still awaiting implementation but also the relatively inexpensive interventions that could have been delivered through political will.

FOCAP called for a clearer account of the government’s performance, particularly on the Black Star Experience, digital creator support, copyright enforcement and the Creative Arts Fund.

The statement was signed by FOCAP President Kojo Preko Dankwa, Vice President for Research Enoch Agyepong and Vice President Mel Kwasi Davis.