Ghanaian entertainment entrepreneur and politician, Baba Sadiq voiced dissatisfaction with the government’s apparent lack of significant commitments to drive the advancement of the creative arts industry.
During a TV3 interview on September 7, 2023, Baba Sadiq emphasized the overlooked potential of Ghana’s creative arts sector and urged for increased backing from government entities.
Sadiq highlighted that despite ample opportunities for development, the sector has lacked the bold and daring dedication necessary from key decision-makers in the last eight years.
“There’s an opportunity for growth, there’s an opportunity for progress. It’s just that in the last eight years, we’ve expected so much more from key state actors whose decisions are supposed to drive the sector and enable growth in the way that we’re expecting it,” he said.
Sadiq highlighted the vast employment opportunities in the creative arts industry, especially for young people and women.
He stated that by providing the appropriate tools and training, a larger number of individuals could enter the field and help it expand.
“The creative industry has always held the key for employment, for youth employment, and particularly employing a lot more women. It’s one of the industries where once you train a particular individual, you do not necessarily have to employ him by giving them the necessary tools. They could start on their own today,” he said.
He observed that a lot of people in the field, like camera operators and makeup artists, have managed to set up their own companies and are doing well.
“When you look at a wedding or social event budget today, and you look at the charges of a photographer, you look at the charges of a makeup artist, you look at the charges of the PA guy, you look at the charges of the MC, we’ve come full circle in industry. So the opportunity for the rich to employ a lot more people and provide employment to young people is there. But a few things need to be done to be able to enable it and put it on that proper platform for it to grow,” he added.
Sadiq suggested that with the right support, the industry has the potential to be a major provider of jobs in the country.
NKONKONSA.com