Minister-designate for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer recently engaged in discussions with the leadership of the Ghana Culture Forum to delve into the potential of the cultural sector.This meeting, which took place on April 18, 2024, highlighted several key points.

Egyapa Mercer commended the Ghana Culture Forum's esteemed reputation as a leading cultural Civil Society Organization (CSO) and stressed the importance of enhancing the cultural and arts sectors' prosperity.He acknowledged that while tourism has garnered significant attention within the Ministry's purview, it's crucial to distribute resources more evenly among all three sectors.

Recognizing that policymakers play a pivotal role in fostering an enabling environment for sector practitioners to excel, Egyapa Mercer emphasised the necessity for policymakers to engage regularly with practitioners to grasp their needs comprehensively.

In response, the Ghana Culture Forum, represented by Vice-Chairperson Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, outlined several critical areas for the Ministry to focus on.Foremost among these was the call for commissioned research to gather comprehensive data periodically on the culture and creative sector, culminating in an accessible data hub for stakeholders.

Additionally, the Ghana Culture Forum urged the Ministry to expedite the finalisation and enactment of Legislative Instruments pertaining to cultural sector laws.Bosco also highlighted the pressing need for improved access to funding, echoing the sentiments of many creative practitioners in Ghana.He proposed that the government establish funds as outlined by cultural laws and consider utilising the existing Ghana Culture Funding Scheme for disbursement.

Moreover, the Ghana Culture Forum sought the Ministry's support in securing office space and expressed interest in advancing the amphitheatre project.Egyapa Mercer pledged to prioritise finalising legislative instruments for cultural laws and ensuring the operationalization of the Creative Arts Agency and National Film Authority.

Addressing concerns about the National Theatre, Egyapa Mercer mentioned exploring commitments from the Chinese government for maintaining the facility.The meeting concluded with plans for the Ghana Culture Forum to submit formal proposals for the discussed projects, indicating a collaborative effort to enhance Ghana's cultural and arts landscape.

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