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The next NDC government will invest heavily in creative arts – Emmanuel Bedzrah
The Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah has indicated that the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government would invest heavily in creative arts.
He said the move would be part of a robust agenda targeted at developing the creative arts industry and projecting players on the world stage, to improve lives.
He was speaking at the launch of two albums by the Apostles Revelation Society (ARS) Azagonorkofe Deladem Church Choir in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.
He said his political party established a support scheme for creative arts, hence has the blueprint that would be fine-tuned to current trends to propel the arts industry.
“We [NDC] have started, you remember we started some time ago when [late] Professor Mills was there. He even allocated about GH₵100 million to the creative arts industry which was used to support industry players. So, we will repeat the same thing because we know that through that we will also be able to build this industry to where it is supposed to be”, he said.
Mr. Bedzrah lamented how the choral group with a talented lead singer had to undertake menial jobs such as working as farm hands and engaging in charcoal making to raise funds for the production of the albums.
He echoed the massive growth of Nigeria’s creative arts industry which he said stems from the private sector investment and proper regulations by the government.
“Nigeria has devoted a lot of resources to that [creative arts industry]. They support the academy, the arts, the music industry, and the film industry. There are people who invested heavily, the private sector invested heavily, government regulates and makes sure that everything that you put in there, you will get your returns on it”, he said.
A teacher by profession, Etsiam Wornu, with the stage name ‘Dela Tsiam’ led the Apostles Revelation Society Azagonorkofe Deladem Church Choir to compose and record two professional choral albums.
Both albums titled “Aƒenya me wua ame o” and “Dekaworwor” contained religious advisory songs written in Ewe, English, Zulu, and Swahili.
Mr. Wornu, who is currently pursuing music said he was gifted a talent to write songs in these languages he didn’t learn and hopes to become a world figure someday.
“In 5 years, I want to specialize in acapella music, see myself on international stages where my music and the choir will go far and viral”, he said.
He appealed for any form of support for the choir to enable them to record professional songs and execute plans of breaking onto the world scene.
“My message to philanthropic organizations is that they should come on board and support me, because God has given me a great talent and this talent can go far, really far.
Our arms are open to welcome any support so that we can push this talent to the world”, he said.
A music lecturer at the University of Education, Wineba, Moses Adzei described Esiam as an “exceptional gift to the world” considering how he is multi-talented and gifted in the field of composing, theory, and stage performance.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
eputy Foreign Minister accompanies Veep to Shanghai to champion Global South reform, industrial drive
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a successful working visit to Shanghai, China, from 15th to 19th October 2026, at the invitation of the East China Normal University (ECNU).
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum held on 17th October, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, political party leaders and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted that political independence is only truly the beginning, stating that “winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility.” She called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism and reform of the global financial architecture to end debt traps, ensure fair risk assessments and promote climate policies that respect different national circumstances.
On 18th October, she addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. Warning that training youth without factories creates unemployment, she appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with priority on value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut and timber.
On October 19, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders, who praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit.
Throughout the trip, Mr. Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana’s jobs and transformation agenda.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
