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

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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.

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I Was Eating with Him That Day – Joint 77 Claims Shatta Wale Hid Beyoncé Shoot

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Former SM Militant member Joint 77 has recounted what he describes as a betrayal of trust by dancehall artiste Shatta Wale, particularly over the artiste’s collaboration with global music star Beyoncé.

Speaking in an interview on Max TV, shared on X on September 28, 2026, Joint 77 claimed that Shatta Wale failed to inform him or other members of the group about his trip to shoot a music video with Beyoncé, despite their close relationship at the time.

According to Joint 77, he was with Shatta Wale on the day the artiste travelled and even shared a meal with him shortly before his departure.

He alleged that Shatta Wale did not disclose the actual purpose of the trip and only informed him about the music video shoot after he had already travelled and encountered difficulties.

“I was with him like the other guys were there when he was going to shoot a video with Beyoncé. I was eating with him like this at the same table. He left that evening without telling anybody anything,” Joint 77 said.

He further claimed that members of the crew were unaware of the trip because Shatta Wale allegedly believed they might interfere with or spoil the work.

“Nobody in the crew knew because he thought we were wizards and would want to spoil his work. He went there alone to face the consequences before he called me, telling me a whole lot,” he added.

Joint 77 said the incident made him feel that his love and trust for Shatta Wale had been taken for granted.

He also alleged that Shatta Wale would sometimes perform songs they had recorded together without inviting the group to his events.

“I moved because the way I held Shatta Wale, he wasn’t able to help us. Even travelling alone with the Militant to perform was a problem for him. He goes alone to perform ‘Taking Over’. He performs all of our songs, our verses. When he’s going, sometimes he will not even tell you,” Joint 77 stated.

The comments highlight the grievances Joint 77 says contributed to his decision to distance himself from Shatta Wale and the SM Militant group.

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Pete Edochie arrives in Ghana for major legacy project

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Nollywood veteran Pete Edochie has arrived in Ghana as part of plans to launch the Pete Edochie Legacy Project, an initiative aimed at celebrating his decades-long contribution to African cinema and storytelling.

The legendary Nigerian actor’s arrival has generated excitement among Ghanaian movie lovers, many of whom have followed his career for decades.

The project is expected to focus on Edochie’s life, career, experiences and contribution to African film, while also creating an avenue for younger generations to learn from his journey.

The actor had earlier announced his intention to visit Ghana, telling Ghanaians that his trip would involve them directly.

“I’m gonna be in Ghana and what I am coming for involves you, and I’m not going to be in a hurry to go home,” he said in a message to Ghanaians.

Edochie also expressed his affection for Ghana and said he had missed the country.

The Pete Edochie Legacy Project is being presented as a celebration of an acting career that has stretched across several decades and made him one of the most recognisable faces in African cinema.

Edochie became internationally known for his portrayal of Okonkwo in the television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, a role that helped establish him as one of Nigeria’s most respected actors.

Beyond that performance, he has appeared in numerous Nigerian films and television productions and has become known for playing authoritative, traditional and complex characters.

His arrival in Ghana also carries a cultural dimension because of the long-standing connection between Ghana’s and Nigeria’s film industries.

The two countries have shared actors, producers, directors and audiences for decades, with Ghanaian and Nigerian productions frequently crossing national borders.

The legacy project is expected to provide an opportunity to revisit Edochie’s career while highlighting the lessons and experiences he has accumulated during his years in the creative industry.

The exact programme of activities surrounding the Ghana leg of the project has been subject to updates, with organisers promoting the initiative as a celebration of the veteran actor’s enduring influence.

Edochie’s Ghana visit comes after he personally appealed to Ghanaians to look forward to his arrival, telling them that he was coming with a project that would involve them.

The actor has also previously faced recurring false reports about his death, which he has publicly addressed while reflecting on the impact such rumours can have on him and his family.

His current visit to Ghana instead places the focus on his career, legacy and contribution to African entertainment.

Source: Adom Online

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Daddy Lumba Remembered: Odo Broni Supports Mothers at Korle Bu

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The family of late highlife icon Daddy Lumba has commemorated what would have been his 62nd birthday with a charitable gesture at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

On Tuesday, September 29, Daddy Lumba’s wife, Odo Broni, joined his sister, Faustina Fosu, as well as relatives and close associates of the late musician to extend financial assistance to patients and new mothers at the hospital.

As part of the initiative, medical bills for mothers who had delivered at the hospital but were unable to settle their expenses were paid. Odo Broni also covered the hospital bills of mothers who gave birth on September 29, in memory of her late husband.

The family further donated to support mothers whose children are receiving treatment for cancer, with each beneficiary receiving GH¢3,000.

Odo Broni explained that the decision was deeply connected to Daddy Lumba’s personal experience with cancer through his mother, Comfort Ama Saah Gyamfi, who died after battling leukaemia.

She said memories of his mother remained emotional for the late musician, who would often become tearful whenever he spoke about her.

“My mother-in-law had leukaemia and died, and anytime my late husband spoke about her, he wept. That’s why I have come to donate money to mothers whose children are battling cancer,” she said.

The gesture formed part of activities to honour Daddy Lumba’s memory while offering practical support to people going through difficult circumstances.

Reflecting on her husband’s legacy, Odo Broni said his physical absence had not diminished the impact of the music he created.

She noted that Daddy Lumba’s songs continue to bring happiness, comfort and cherished memories to listeners, with his musical works remaining relevant across generations.

According to her, the legacy he built throughout his career would continue to live on and influence people even in the years ahead.

Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu, was one of Ghana’s most celebrated highlife musicians. He died on July 26, 2025, at the age of 60.

 

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Kofi Ajorlolo reveals how Ghana producers banned him from acting

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Veteran Ghanaian actor Kofi Ajorlolo has revealed that a group of movie producers once imposed a two-year ban on him, preventing him from working in Ghana’s film industry.

Ajorlolo disclosed the experience in a recent video posted on Instagram by CelebrityBlogg55, where he reflected on some of the challenges he encountered during his long acting career.

According to the actor, the ban was initially expected to last for two years. However, the decision was eventually abandoned after about six to eight months.

“I was banned from acting in Ghana for 2 years by a group of producers,” Ajorlolo said.

He explained that despite the restriction, the ban did not prevent him from securing acting opportunities because producers from Nigeria continued to approach him for roles.

“Finally, I think they themselves went back, and they realised that no, it was not worth it because as they were banning me in Ghana here, Nigerian producers too were calling, fighting for me to come perform. So it didn’t affect me,” he explained.

Ajorlolo said the situation eventually forced the producers to reconsider their decision, leading to the ban being withdrawn.

“After six months or eight months or so, they themselves just pulled that thing out that I should come back,” he disclosed.

Reflecting on the incident, the veteran actor described himself as a sacrificial lamb, suggesting that his experience formed part of a broader situation within the Ghanaian movie industry at the time.

“So they used me as a sacrificial lamb. That was the first time,” he said.

The revelation offers a glimpse into some of the tensions that existed within Ghana’s film industry and the influence producers had over actors and local productions.

Ajorlolo has enjoyed a career spanning several decades, featuring in both Ghanaian and Nigerian film productions. His work across the two industries has also made him a familiar face to audiences in Ghana and Nigeria.

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Sarkodie applauds Mahama over US health compact decision

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Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has expressed support for President John Dramani Mahama following the government’s decision to reject a proposed health compact with the United States.

In a post on his X page, Sarkodie praised President Mahama for refusing to accept what the government considered problematic conditions contained in the proposed agreement.

“Thank you, Mr President… Hopefully one day we gain back the full respect deserved,” Sarkodie wrote.

His reaction followed comments by President Mahama explaining why Ghana declined the proposed compact, which was presented as an alternative arrangement after the country lost funding previously provided through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Friday, September 25, 2026, President Mahama said the Health Ministry had initially examined the proposed agreement before preparing a Cabinet Information Paper for consideration.

According to the President, Cabinet identified several provisions that raised concerns and ultimately decided against accepting the agreement.

One of the issues he highlighted was a requirement for Ghana to submit its pathogen profile, which would contain information relating to diseases endemic to the country.

President Mahama said Cabinet also questioned a provision that appeared to require Ghana to provide medical records.

He further pointed to conditions concerning Ghana’s financial contribution to the programme and restrictions that would have affected the Food and Drugs Authority’s ability to inspect medicines and other medical products entering the country under the arrangement.

The President described the terms as unacceptable and said Cabinet rejected the compact shortly after it was presented.

He described the decision as one of the fastest rejections of an agreement he had witnessed in Cabinet.

Sarkodie’s post has since drawn attention to the government’s position, with the rapper framing the decision as part of efforts to restore Ghana’s dignity and international respect.

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