The government of Ghana did not release its budgetary allocation to the creative arts industry in 2013 and has this year too, not given a dime after half of the year is gone; GhanaCelebrities.Com has learnt.
Government for the first time made an allocation of GH¢2 million in the 2012 budget for the creative industry under the tenure of our late President, Prof. Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Disagreement erupted after it emerged that only members of the musicians union accessed the funds. Some players in the movie industry and even other sectors of the music industry were unhappy.
Following the disagreements over the money, President John Dramani Mahama, speaking at a meeting with selected members of the creative industry at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi ahead of the 2012 general elections, promised to increase government’s budgetary allocation to the sector in order that many will benefit.
He said: “I am just assuring that we are going to make another budgetary allocation more than the amount [that was given] and you have to collectively come out with a blue print for investing it in the best way that will serve our purpose.”
True to Government’s promise, the Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, presenting the 2013 budget to parliament, disclosed that the government has allocated an amount of GH¢3 million to better the lot of the industry – ….“The creative arts industry will be supported with GH¢3 million in 2013,” Mr. Terkper said.
Speaking on Channel R’s entertainment programme – 205 Total Entertainment last year December, host, Christian Adjei Frimpong, asked Mr. Boakye if the government released the GHC 3M it budgeted for the creative art sector for 2013.
“I can say on authority here that government did not release the GHC 3M it promised the creative art sector. As at 31st December, 2013, the money had not been released” Mr. Boateng revealed. This year – 2014, the government made another budget allocation for the creative arts industry.
GhanaCelebrities.Com got in touch with a source at the office of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to find out if government has released the 2014 budget allocation to the creative arts industry but he said not even a dime has been released.
Getting in touch with the PRO of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts some weeks back – since they are suppose to lobby for the money and to see to its disbursal and accountability, he told GhanaCelebrities.Com that he was on leave so he will check from the office and get back to us.
He got back to us but said the officer in charge at the Ministry’s account section, was not forthcoming with information on our request. Apparently, they were simply afraid to tell us that the money has not been released. GhanaCelebrities.Com is still following up on this story for more update. Until then…MOTWUM!!