Action not words

Recent assurances by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo on his plans to provide ultra-modern theatres in Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi is very welcome news. Showbiz has been advocating for the provision of theatres in our regional capitals for years.

It is sad that a country endowed with a wealth of traditional and cultural talent has only a single theatre to boast of. As a country, Ghana cannot claim to support the local arts if we are unwilling to provide the most basic infrastructure to ensure its growth. 

The Centres for National Culture (CNC) in the regional capitals are supposed to serve as theatres but the isolated and sorry state in which they are tell a much different story. Showbiz is still awaiting the fulfilment of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts promise to give the Centres of National Culture across the country a facelift. We hope the construction of the new theatres will not result in the delay of the facelift of the centres for national culture. 

Both the theatres and CNCs are equally important to the growth of the creative arts industry in the country. There are numerous creative projects which are suited for one venue and not the other and as such, the country will benefit immensely from having both of these in each region. 

Promises notwithstanding, we need to see action towards the construction of these theatres as opposed to the talk-shop and promises that have become a regular feature of the political commitment to the creative sector in the country. 

Showbiz urges the President and his capable team to make true their promise of building the new theatres across the country. 

It is also the duty of well-meaning Ghanaians who have the future of the country at heart to hold the government accountable to its promise. It is only through a concerted effort from all parties that we can ensure the survival of our culture.