Mahama Is First President to Put GH¢40m Seed Money into Creative Arts Fund: Kojo Preko Dankwa

President of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), Kojo Preko Dankwa, has praised President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as an unprecedented financial commitment to Ghana’s creative arts sector.

Preko Dankwa said Mahama had distinguished himself from previous administrations by providing GH¢40 million in seed funding for the Creative Arts Fund, which he believes could provide a major boost to the industry if properly managed.

Speaking to KPDonline.com, Preko Dankwa argued that the Creative Arts Fund had existed as a policy objective for years, but successive governments had failed to provide meaningful financial resources to make it effective.

He noted that the legal framework for the fund was provided through legislation, including the Film Act, 935, and the Creative Arts Agency Act, 1048, but said the industry had continued to wait for actual funding.

According to him, previous governments repeatedly promised to support the fund, but no substantial amount was released.

He therefore described Mahama’s decision to inject GH¢40 million as a significant departure from what had happened in the past.

Preko Dankwa also said the President had indicated that the fund could receive additional money if the initial allocation was properly utilised.

For him, the financial commitment is one of several reasons he believes Mahama should become an official ambassador for the creative arts sector.

He said the President’s interest in creative content is evident whenever he speaks at public programmes, where he often references comedians, skits, films and other creative works.

Preko Dankwa argued that Mahama’s personal familiarity with developments in the creative industry could help him effectively champion the sector and attract greater attention to its needs.

He also praised the government for creating opportunities for creatives to occupy positions and represent Ghana internationally.

He pointed to appointments involving personalities such as Akofa Edjeani, Dr Abdela and Selom Kwakye, saying their involvement in diplomatic and cultural engagements could help promote Ghana’s creative identity abroad.

Preko Dankwa further called for more creatives to be included in presidential delegations, particularly during international trips.

He mentioned musicians, writers, sculptors and other creative professionals as potential members of such delegations, arguing that their presence could help Ghana market its culture and creative products internationally.

He expressed disappointment that no creative industry representative was included in President Mahama’s delegation during his visit to Jamaica.

He believes the creative sector could gain greater international exposure if prominent Ghanaian creatives were regularly included in presidential and diplomatic engagements.

Preko Dankwa also linked the proposed ambassadorial role to the welfare of people working in the industry.

He said a stronger presidential focus could help address concerns relating to insurance, housing, welfare and other social protections for creatives.

He argued that the ultimate objective should not only be to provide financial support but also to establish sustainable structures and systems capable of serving the creative sector beyond the tenure of any particular government.

Preko Dankwa therefore urged the creative industry to support the idea of making President Mahama an ambassador for the sector, saying his influence could help attract the attention, resources and international exposure needed to strengthen Ghana’s creative economy.