Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for stronger collaboration between government and stakeholders in Ghana’s creative arts industry to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Speaking at the Creative Arts Forum held at the National Theatre on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Minister said the creative industry remains a significant contributor to national development through job creation, cultural promotion and economic growth.
The forum brought together practitioners and stakeholders from various areas of the creative arts industry, including music, film, theatre, dance, fashion, visual arts, publishing and crafts, among other emerging creative disciplines.
Ms. Gomashie said creatives continue to play an important role in telling Ghana’s story, projecting the country’s identity and culture, and creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.
She noted that a thriving creative arts industry requires deliberate investment, strong institutions and an enabling environment to allow practitioners to develop and compete globally.
According to the Minister, government is therefore taking steps to strengthen support for the sector, including the establishment and implementation of the Creative Arts Fund and the National Film Authority Fund.
She also mentioned efforts to strengthen international partnerships, develop skills and improve infrastructure, as well as create better opportunities for the production, distribution and export of Ghanaian creative products.
However, the Minister stressed that the forum was not primarily about government outlining its plans, but about listening to practitioners and understanding the realities of the industry.
“We recognize that you are the practitioners who understand the opportunities, challenges and realities of the industry better than anyone else, myself included,” she said.
She encouraged stakeholders to openly share their ideas, concerns and proposals on what is working, what needs improvement and what government can do to remove barriers within the sector.
Ms. Gomashie assured practitioners that the Ministry and its agencies are committed to working with industry stakeholders to develop policies and programmes that create sustainable opportunities across the creative value chain.
She said government’s vision is to build a creative arts industry that is economically viable, globally competitive and professionally organised, while providing sustainable livelihoods for practitioners.
The Minister further called for stronger partnerships with the private sector and development partners to create new opportunities and position Ghana as a vibrant creative destination.
She urged stakeholders to use the forum to identify practical solutions and strengthen collaboration towards placing the creative arts industry at the centre of Ghana’s development agenda and on the global stage.
Story by : Belinda Anim Piesie
