Entertainment of Friday, 18 January 2013

Source: Radio XYZ

'If I'm made Minister of Creative Arts, everything will change' - Ambulley

Gyedu Blay Ambulley has expressed interest in heading the ministry under which the creative arts industry will be placed.

The ace hi-life and afro jazz musician told Breakfast XYZ he will bring his experience in the arts to bear on such a ministry towards improving the lot of musicians and others in the creative arts industry.

President Mahama recently indicated he will decouple the creative arts industry from the ministry of chieftaincy and culture and place it under another ministry to ensure vibrancy and dynamism in line with his administration’s plans for the sector.

"I have been doing music my whole life. This is what I know so I will make sure that all these structures are put in place,” he said.

Gyedu Blay Ambuley commended the President’s intentions and says he is ready to head such a ministry.

“It’s a good move and I think it’s a good decision because there has to be a set up that will solely take care of the music industry as well as our cultural purposes that we have,” he said.

He said whoever is given the opportunity to head the ministry must have an understanding of the arts and entertainment industry.

“[He] has to be somebody who has knowledge of music and [understands] the ins and out of music,” he averred.

He stated that the industry needs to be properly structured to provide the needed support for the players so as to create more opportunities for it.

Gyedu Blay Ambulley stated that if he is given the nod “everything would change for the betterment of what musicians have to accrue. It will totally change”.