Veteran Ghanaian actor and theater arts lecturer David Dontoh has lamented on various Ghanaian governments’ disregard for the creative arts over the years despite several campaign promises to make creative arts a vibrant industry with necessary policies, laws and infrastructure.
In a very passionate and emotional interview with Kapital Radio’s NY DJ on the Entertainment Unplugged Show over the weekend on the relevance of the creative arts industry in the development of the republic of Ghana after 57 years of independence, David Dontoh stated emphatically that the creative arts industry had been one of the most influential industries in the development of the country yet the least supported by various governments.
“It’s so sad we forget that the national anthem was written and sang by people from this industry. The very sword used for swearing in various presidents and the stool on which they sit were all carved by artisans who form a part of the industry they have for so long a time neglected and abandoned.
Do these politicians not invite musicians to their event rallies and congresses? Do they not attend movie premiers? So why sit and look unconcerned about the very arts that keep this nation running?”
Asked if as industry professionals, attempts had been made at putting in place the right mechanisms to cushion players in the industry, he lamented that a drafted film bill had been submitted to and has lain idle in parliament since 2004.In a very passionate and emotional interview with Kapital Radio’s NY DJ on the Entertainment Unplugged Show over the weekend on the relevance of the creative arts industry in the development of the republic of Ghana after 57 years of independence, David Dontoh stated emphatically that the creative arts industry had been one of the most influential industries in the development of the country yet the least supported by various governments.
“It’s so sad we forget that the national anthem was written and sang by people from this industry. The very sword used for swearing in various presidents and the stool on which they sit were all carved by artisans who form a part of the industry they have for so long a time neglected and abandoned.
Do these politicians not invite musicians to their event rallies and congresses? Do they not attend movie premiers? So why sit and look unconcerned about the very arts that keep this nation running?”
We have been able together put a film policy draft together since 2004 and it’s still lying in Parliament. They always find a way around it by telling us they need to have a stakeholders meeting, they have to write it in a legal language etc……….. They always make it seem it is impossible yet it to them 48hours to sign the ex gratia bill”.
Asked the way forward, he disclosed until the government finds it a priority to place the policies and legal frame work in place, the arts industry would always suffer.
Source: www.nydjlive.com
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