We are not convinced by political pledges-creatives react to NPP/NDC manifestoes

THE two major political parties, New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), have unveiled their respective 2024 manifestos each promising transformative changes for the country’s creative arts industry.

However, these pledges, though ambitious, have been met with a wave of scepticism from industry insiders who question whether these promises are genuine or mere vote-winning tactics.

  The NPP's manifesto is packed with promises, including tax incentives, a flat tax for creative enterprises, and policies to boost private sector investments in tourism and creative arts infrastructure. They also pledge to implement an e-visa policy for all international visitors and establish a streaming and digital management platform for Ghanaian content creators.

On the other hand, the NDC manifesto focuses on enhancing tourism, reviewing and enforcing broadcasting, digital media and local content laws to stimulate local artistic productions, and improve the management and collection of copyrights and royalties.

However, these two manifestos have generated a wave of scepticism among stakeholders in the sector, with many questioning whether these promises will materialise or remain mere political rhetorics.

In separate interviews with Graphic Showbiz, some stakeholders within the industry expressed doubts about the sincerity of these commitments, stating that they were merely a strategy to win votes.

The President of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), Kojo Preko Dankwa, is of the opinion that the manifesto promises were mere electioneering tactics that would not lead to concrete development.

According to him, they will vanish into thin air as soon as the elections are over. “The 2024 manifestos on the creative sector presented by both political parties have serious deficits and lack progress for the industry. Comparing the 2020 manifesto promises to that of 2024, the value is the same. They are not real and practicable. 

“In 2020, they promised the same digital platforms, theatres, etc. All of these were not attainable. I was expecting solutions to how to position the creative industry to make it one of the pivotal leading sectors that can produce more employment and also see us being well recognised,” he told Graphic Showbiz.

Musician and Pan Africanist, Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, also expressed disappointment with the manifestos presented, particularly by the NPP. He feels they have consistently failed to deliver on their promises, making them nothing more than empty rhetoric.

 In his words, "I'm thoroughly unimpressed by these promises, which will likely prove to be nothing more than empty words by the next election cycle. While I do find some of the NDC's policy proposals appealing, history has shown us that they consistently fail to follow through on their commitments, making their promises ring hollow.”

"We've heard them all before. Although some of the NDC's policies seem interesting, I don’t have any hopes. Their track record of unfulfilled commitments leaves me doubting their ability to deliver,” he added.

For Ghanaian movie producer and businessman, Fred Nuamah, NDC's manifesto was commendable, but it would have been more comprehensive if it had addressed the film industry. Nevertheless, he is not convinced about the ability of both political parties to deliver on their promises, citing a history of unfulfilled commitments. In his view, this year's manifestos are no exception to the longstanding pattern of broken promises. (More articles: 

However, not everyone in the industry shares this scepticism. Socrate Safo, Director of Creative Arts at the National Commission on Culture (NCC) and a member of the NPP’s manifesto committee, defended the party’s plans. He said the creative industry was ripe for new policies that would propel it to meet global standards.

“The NPP manifesto is going to address the new challenges we are facing as an industry. As a country, we are part of a global village and there are ties and when things happen at some place, it affects everybody.”

  “So the solutions of yester-years may not apply today. When the new challenge comes, that is where you need new solutions to take care of them and that is what I see in this manifesto.”