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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 Ghana Tourism Development Company, GTDC, under the leadership of Prof.Kobby Mensah has launched GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The initiative aims to promote educational and domestic tourism by providing structured campus tour experiences showcasing key heritage sites, including the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts.
It will also offer students their first travel experience across the continent and inculcate in them love to visit Ghana’s heritage sites.
Addressing the gathering at the launch yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described tourism as a vehicle for education and heritage preservation, stressing that the sector must inspire citizens to value and protect national culture for future generations.
The minister highlighted tourism’s connection to disciplines such as history, the arts, economics and environmental science.
The minister further noted that the private sector is the engine of tourism economy, adding that the engines require fuel, which is talents.” by investing in these young people today, you are securing the quality, the innovation and competitiveness of our own industry for tomorrow.
She added that the establishment of the office represents a deliberate investment in the intellectual capital of the country.
The GTDC boss, Prof.Kobby Mensah, said,”at GTDC, we believe that if our tourism has to be sustainable, we have to promote domestic tourism and a very big part of it is getting students to appreciate tourism and helping them to organise tours.”
He added that the University of Ghana itself is a huge heritage site which must be explored.
Prof.Kobby Mensah noted that the initiative, which is one of many to be established across the country, is a joint partnership between GTDC and University of Ghana.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University is a custodian of heritage which goes beyond the structures and welcomed the establishment of the first Campus Tourism Office.
She was optimistic that the office would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.
The launch brought together Stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to nurturing future tourism and hospitality professionals.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana has officially accepted an invitation to serve as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026.
The invitation was extended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré.
Receiving the delegation, Abla Dzifa Gomashie reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and strengthening historic ties between the two nations.
She noted that the festival will create opportunities for young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector.
The event will feature cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.
Ghana’s participation is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between John Dramani Mahama and Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering collaboration within the creative ecosystems of both countries.
