Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie has called for the completion of abandoned theatre infrastructure projects across the country, including projects initiated under previous administrations.

The Minister made the call during the government’s Accountability Series when she was asked about the state of abandoned theatre buildings and infrastructure in the country.

Responding to the question, Ms Gomashie said her recommendation to Cabinet was for the government to prioritise the completion of theatre buildings that had been started but left unfinished over the years.

She noted that some of the projects dated as far back as the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings, stressing the need for the government to find resources to complete the long-standing projects.

“My suggestion to Cabinet is that we finish all the, if we can, all the buildings that were started even from President Rawlings. Some are from that far back,” she said.

According to the Minister, the ability of government to complete such projects would depend largely on the availability of resources, urging Ghanaians to continue paying their taxes to support national development.

She said increased revenue generation would enable government to allocate more resources to sectors such as tourism, culture and the creative arts.

“We just have to keep trying to pay our taxes, make more money for Ghana, so that a lot more will be given to us,” she stated.

Ms Gomashie also disclosed that she had engaged the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, over the needs of the tourism, culture and creative arts sector and funding priorities for 2027.

She said the Finance Minister had personally sat with her to examine the sector’s needs and what would be required to support its development.

The Minister said she was therefore confident that the sector’s concerns, including infrastructure needs, would receive consideration in the government’s planning for the 2027 financial year.

She explained that the discussions were aimed at identifying the sector’s priorities and determining what could realistically be funded.

“I’m assured by the Minister for Finance, who sat with me… Ato Forson also sat with me to look at the sector and what has to be done and what our needs are for 2027,” she said.

Ms Gomashie further assured stakeholders that she would return to provide an update and validate the commitments made regarding the sector’s infrastructure needs.

“I can assure you, I’ll come back here and give a validation to what I’ve just said,” she added.

The Minister said the completion of the abandoned theatre projects would form part of the discussions on the sector’s infrastructure needs and funding priorities for 2027.

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YouTube is set to significantly raise the requirements creators must meet to earn money through its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), with the new rules taking effect on February 1, 2027.

Under the revised requirements, creators seeking to monetise their channels through advertising and subscriptions will need at least 1,000 subscribers and must achieve either 8,000 eligible public watch hours within the previous 12 months or 20 million eligible Shorts views within 90 days.

The new threshold represents a major increase from the current YPP requirements. At present, creators with 1,000 subscribers can qualify by recording 4,000 watch hours over the previous 12 months or generating 10 million Shorts views within 90 days.

YouTube will also require creators participating in the Shorts monetisation system to maintain at least 10 million Shorts views within 90 days to continue earning from the Shorts Creator Pool. However, creators who fall below that figure will not automatically be removed from the YouTube Partner Program.

Alongside the higher entry requirements, YouTube is expanding access to its lower-cost Premium Lite subscription. The service is expected to become available in every country where YouTube Premium is offered.

YouTube distributes part of its subscription revenue to creators according to factors such as watch time and views. The company currently allocates 55 per cent of the relevant revenue to long-form content and 45 per cent to Shorts.

According to YouTube, creators could potentially earn more as Premium membership expands because subscribers may generate greater revenue for partners than viewers who are served advertisements.

The changes come as YouTube continues to position itself as more than a traditional online video platform. The company is increasingly competing for viewers’ attention with major streaming services such as Netflix, HBO Max and Disney+, while seeking to strengthen its subscription-based business.

YouTube is also introducing additional activity requirements for creators who want to remain eligible to earn through advertising and subscriptions.

Under the new rules, creators will need to maintain at least one of the following levels of activity: 1,000 watch hours during the previous 12 months, one million Shorts views, or regular uploads consisting of at least two long-form videos or five Shorts every 90 days.

The platform already has a policy allowing it to remove channels from the YPP when creators have not uploaded a video or made a post on the Community Posts tab for six months or longer.

Creators who are already members of the YouTube Partner Program will also have to accept the updated terms by January 31, 2027, if they want to continue earning money from their content under the programme.

The new rules mean creators, particularly those relying on long-form videos or Shorts for income, will have to significantly increase their audience engagement and content activity to remain eligible for YouTube monetisation from February 2027.

Source: The Verge

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.

The Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) has challenged the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, to provide clearer evidence of progress on key manifesto promises made to Ghana’s creative arts, culture and tourism sector.

The group’s concerns follow the minister’s participation in the government’s accountability series at the Jubilee House, where she outlined the achievements and progress recorded by her ministry since the Mahama administration took office.

FOCAP welcomed the minister’s decision to account for her stewardship but said the engagement was long overdue, particularly given the expectations placed on the creative arts and tourism sector.

According to the organisation, it conducted its own assessment of the sector exactly one year into the Mahama administration and scored the government 0 per cent on the implementation of its manifesto commitments in the sector.

FOCAP, led by its President, Kojo Preko Dankwa, said it was therefore disappointed that the minister’s presentation focused largely on activities and programmes it believes do not adequately demonstrate the fulfilment of the government’s key promises.

Black Star Experience

A major concern raised by FOCAP was the implementation of the Black Star Experience, which it described as one of the core promises of the government’s manifesto.

The organisation noted that the Black Star Experience was launched at the Black Star Square as part of President John Mahama’s 100-day achievements.

However, FOCAP argued that beyond the launch, there had been little visible effort to implement the programme as a year-round national initiative fully.

The group said it was particularly concerned that the minister did not acknowledge the office responsible for coordinating the Black Star Experience, which it said operates under the Office of the President.

FOCAP argued that the initiative continues to struggle for the necessary support and recognition nearly one and a half years after its launch.

The organisation said the flagship programme, which was expected to provide a year-round platform for Ghanaian film, music, fashion, heritage and cultural celebrations, remains largely invisible.

FOCAP further alleged that when a question was posed to the minister concerning the Black Star Experience during the accountability engagement, her response demonstrated what the organisation considers a lack of sufficient attention to the programme.

Dispute Over National Film Authority’s 1% GDP Target

FOCAP also questioned claims surrounding the National Film Authority (NFA) and its medium-term objective of increasing the film industry’s contribution to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product from 0.2 per cent to at least one per cent.

According to FOCAP, the target should not be presented as an achievement because it remains an ambition that has yet to be realised.

The organisation said its research indicates that the NFA’s document, titled Reviving Ghana’s Film Industry: A Vision for Growth, speaks about engaging one per cent of Ghana’s population in local cinema culture within two years through improved film distribution and exhibition.

FOCAP therefore questioned the basis for presenting the 1 per cent GDP contribution target as evidence of progress.

It also argued that the contribution of the broader creative arts sector to Ghana’s GDP remains insufficiently demonstrated.

The group further criticised the presentation of the National Film Dialogue as an achievement, describing it as a normal sector activity rather than a major fulfilment of the government’s manifesto promises.

GH¢40 Million Creative Arts Fund

FOCAP welcomed the government’s commitment to provide GH¢40 million as seed funding for the Creative Arts Fund, which was captured in the 2026 budget.

However, it said the fund cannot be effectively operationalised until the necessary legislative instrument is passed by Parliament.

The organisation consequently questioned why the National Film Authority had already begun inviting enterprises to access a GH¢5 million seed fund while the Creative Arts Agency was not doing the same.

FOCAP described the situation as raising questions about compliance with the legal framework governing the fund.

The group called for clarity on the process and urged the government to ensure that the promised funding mechanism is properly established before disbursement.

Digital Creators and Copyright Protection

FOCAP also identified what it described as “low-hanging fruit” in the government’s manifesto that could be implemented without necessarily requiring huge financial resources.

Among these is structured support for young digital content creators.

According to FOCAP, the manifesto promised measures to help young creators develop commercially viable content and build sustainable careers online.

The organisation said that despite Ghanaian digital creators building audiences and businesses independently, there was still no clear government platform, programme or dedicated funding line addressing the commitment.

Copyright enforcement was another area highlighted by FOCAP.

The group said stronger copyright enforcement had repeatedly been promised as a means of protecting artists and other creators whose works are pirated and monetised without authorisation.

FOCAP argued that there were still no visible improvements in enforcement mechanisms that industry players could readily identify.

Normal Ministry Work Is Not Manifesto Achievement

FOCAP stressed that routine administrative and procedural activities of the ministry should not automatically be classified as achievements.

The organisation said the government’s responsibility was to implement the specific commitments it made to the creative arts sector during the election campaign.

It argued that many of the commitments highlighted by the minister remain at the pipeline stage rather than having been translated into tangible programmes and outcomes.

FOCAP therefore called for a more direct assessment of the government’s manifesto promises and urged the minister to provide specific timelines, measurable outcomes and evidence of implementation.

The organisation said the Black Star Experience, in particular, should have received greater attention because of its central role in the government’s vision for the creative arts, culture and tourism sector.

FOCAP’s statement was signed by Kojo Preko Dankwa, President; Enoch Agyepong, Vice President, Research; and Mel Kwasi Davis, Vice President.

Pan-Africanist musician and Founder of PanAfrica-Ghana (PAG), Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, has called on African Heads of State, traditional rulers and policymakers to establish a formal framework for the voluntary repatriation and resettlement of Africans in the Diaspora who wish to return to the continent.

In an open letter titled The Slave Route Project and Africans in the Diaspora: Back to Africa Agenda (BATAA), Ras Caleb appealed to African leaders to recognise the historical connection between the continent and Africans living in the Caribbean, the Americas, England and Europe.

He said many Africans in the Diaspora have, for centuries, sought to return to Africa and contribute their skills and resources to the continent’s development.

Ras Caleb, who is also the Founding President, Project Initiator and Coordinator of PanAfrica-Ghana and Prodigy International Productions Association (PIPA), said the issue of repatriation had previously been brought before the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), but called for a clear continental position on the matter.

His advocacy for Pan-African cooperation is consistent with his previous work through PanAfrica-Ghana, including participation in continental initiatives and engagements aimed at strengthening African unity and cultural cooperation.

 Call for repatriation status

At the centre of the open letter is a demand for African governments to introduce a repatriation status for Africans in the Western Hemisphere who voluntarily choose to return to Africa.

Ras Caleb proposed that returnees should be granted permanent residency leading to citizenship within three to five years, while also proposing citizenship upon arrival for appropriate categories.

He argued that Africans from the Diaspora who return to the continent should not simply be treated as visitors whose visas expire after a limited period.

According to him, the historical circumstances surrounding the displacement of Africans through slavery make the return of those who wish to settle in Africa different from ordinary immigration.

He therefore urged African governments to develop immigration policies that recognise the unique relationship between Africa and its Diaspora.

 Land for resettlement

Ras Caleb also called for African governments to make land available for the resettlement of returning Africans.

He proposed that land be allocated around agricultural areas and supported with basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity.

He said the initiative could provide opportunities for Africans in the Diaspora to invest their knowledge, skills and resources in Africa while helping to strengthen food production and economic self-sufficiency.

According to him, resettlement could take place on both individual and cooperative bases.

He said returning Africans could participate in farming, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, education, technology and other productive sectors.

Diaspora skills for Africa’s development

The Pan-Africanist said the African Diaspora possesses a wide range of professional expertise that could contribute significantly to the continent’s development.

He listed doctors, nurses, pharmacists, engineers, technicians, teachers, fishermen, farmers, scientists, musicians, actors and other professionals among those who could contribute to Africa’s economic transformation.

He argued that a structured repatriation programme could help Africa benefit from the knowledge, skills and experience of people who have lived and worked outside the continent.

Ras Caleb also proposed the establishment of cooperative structures through which returnees could jointly invest in agriculture and other economic activities.

He referred to the late Professor Joshua Naphtali Mkhululi, formerly Ken Edwards, whom he described as an African born in Jamaica who self-repatriated and settled in Tanzania in 1976.

Ras Caleb said Professor Mkhululi played a role in the creation of the Faculty of Management at the University of Dar-es-Salaam and later worked as a management consultant for Ghana’s State Enterprises Commission between 1991 and 1995.

He further stated that Professor Mkhululi attended an OAU Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, in 1991, where he obtained documents relating to reparations.

Ras Caleb cited a proposal contained in those documents which called for Africans in the New World to be allowed to enjoy dual citizenship of an African country they chose as their home.

 Immigration and visa concerns

Another major concern raised in the letter is the immigration status of Africans returning to the continent.

Ras Caleb argued that requiring Diaspora returnees to enter Africa only on temporary visitor visas fails to reflect their intention to permanently reconnect with their ancestral homeland.

He questioned what happens when such visas expire, and a person is required to leave Africa.

He said some returnees could also face difficulties if they are unable to secure employment within a short period after arrival.

According to him, such circumstances could result in people being classified as prohibited immigrants despite their intention to settle and contribute to Africa.

He therefore called for immigration systems that would provide returning Africans with permanent residency or citizenship.

The letter also addresses the long-standing issue of reparations for Africa and people of African descent.

Ras Caleb argued that Africans and people of African descent suffered extensive human and economic losses as a result of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism.

He said Africans were subjected to killing, torture, exploitation, brutalisation and dehumanisation during the slave trade, while colonialism subsequently subjected African societies to further suppression and economic exploitation.

He argued that these historical experiences contributed to some of the challenges facing the continent today.

However, he said Africans must not focus only on seeking compensation from Western countries.

Instead, he called for Africans to organise themselves and take practical measures to rebuild the continent.

He linked this approach to his proposed Healing Africa Tour (HAT) initiative, which he said is aimed at encouraging practical action towards the development and healing of African societies.

Four key demands

In the letter, Ras Caleb outlined four specific requests to African governments and traditional authorities.

Repatriation status:

He called for Africans in the Western Hemisphere who choose to return to Africa to be granted repatriation status, with permanent residency leading to citizenship within three to five years or citizenship upon arrival for appropriate categories.

Land and infrastructure:

He urged governments to pledge suitable land for resettlement, particularly around agricultural areas, and assist with infrastructure development, including roads, water and electricity.

Duty-free access:

He called for returning Africans to be granted duty-free access for their material possessions when relocating permanently to the continent.

Concessionary building materials:

He also requested concessionary prices on building materials to help returnees establish homes, businesses and communities.

Ras Caleb also said one of the biggest challenges facing the African unity agenda is the historical divide between Africans on the continent and Africans in the Diaspora.

He argued that centuries of slavery, colonialism and displacement created misconceptions on both sides.

According to him, some Africans in the Diaspora developed negative perceptions about Africans on the continent, while some Africans at home viewed Diaspora Africans as outsiders.

He said these divisions must be overcome if Africa is to achieve genuine unity.

He also highlighted the contribution of Pan-African and Rastafari communities to the campaign for reconnecting Africans in the Diaspora with the continent.

He said many members of the Diaspora have faced discrimination and other challenges because of their commitment to African causes.

Agriculture and food security:

The letter places considerable emphasis on agriculture.

Ras Caleb argued that Africa should strengthen its ability to produce enough food for its population rather than relying heavily on food imports.

He believes returning Africans could help develop agricultural land through individual investments and cooperative farming projects.

He said such initiatives could contribute to employment, food security and rural development while allowing returnees to build sustainable livelihoods.

 Historical OAU involvement

Ras Caleb also referred to an OAU Council of Ministers meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 19 to 24, 1990.

He said Professor Mkhululi participated in the proceedings in connection with his work as a temporary United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) management consultant assigned to improve the administrative and management capacity of the OAU.

Ras Caleb said discussions at the time included calls for African institutions to be concerned about the freedom and welfare of Africans around the world.

He argued that such historical discussions should inform current efforts to strengthen relations between Africa and the Diaspora.

 Government responsibility

Ras Caleb acknowledged that large-scale resettlement would require significant financial resources and cooperation from governments.

He cited historical examples of governments supporting the relocation and resettlement of populations and argued that African governments could similarly develop structured programmes for members of the African Diaspora who voluntarily wish to return.

He said the responsibility should not be left entirely to individuals but should involve governments, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and development partners.

A call for African unity

The Pan-Africanist concluded by urging African leaders to consider his proposals as part of a broader agenda for African unity, development and self-sufficiency.

He said the return of Africans in the Diaspora should be viewed not only as a historical issue but also as an opportunity to mobilise human capital, investment, skills and expertise for the development of the continent.

He called for an organised system that would make it easier for Africans in the Diaspora to return, acquire land, establish businesses, participate in agriculture and contribute to their communities.

Ras Caleb said a positive response from African leaders would be historically significant and could strengthen the relationship between Africans on the continent and those living abroad.

He signed the letter as Musician and Pan-Africanist, Founding President, Project Initiator and Coordinator of PanAfrica-Ghana (PAG) and Prodigy International Productions Association (PIPA).

Ras Caleb has previously represented PanAfrica-Ghana in international Pan-African activities, including the 2024 Africa Youth Congress in Kampala, Uganda, where the organisation was involved in discussions on Africanism, culture and development.

He ended the letter with a call for greater solidarity among Africans across the world.

Long Live Africa, Long Live Africans, Long Live World Solidarity.”