Ghanaian entertainment entrepreneur and politician Baba Sadiq has expressed disappointment in the lack of major commitments from the government to push the creative arts industry forward.

In an interview with TV3 on September 7, 2023, Baba Sadiq highlighted the untapped potential of Ghana's creative arts industry and called for stronger support from state actors.

Sadiq emphasised that while there are significant opportunities for growth and progress, the sector has not received the bold and audacious commitment it needs from key decision-makers over the past 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 pointed out that the creative arts industry holds immense potential for employment, particularly for the youth and women.

He added that with the right tools and training, more people could pursue careers in the industry and contribute to its growth.

“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 noted that many individuals in the industry, such as camera operators and makeup artists, have successfully established their businesses and are thriving.

“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 argued that the industry could become one of the biggest enablers of employment in the country if given the necessary support.

ID/ ADG

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