National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has unveiled an ambitious plan to launch a dedicated television channel exclusively for Ghana’s creative arts industry, should he win the 2024 election.
Speaking to creative arts stakeholders at the Great Hall of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on November 12, 2024, John Mahama highlighted the need to create diverse revenue streams for artists, expanding beyond ticket sales by capitalizing on television viewership.
He explained that the new channel would operate as part of the digital terrestrial television (DTT) network and serve as a showcase for a wide variety of creative content, including live performances.
“We will establish a special events channel for the creative arts,” Mr. Mahama said. “This platform will allow you to showcase your work. If there’s a big show with many performers, viewers will be able to access it electronically, receiving a unique code to watch.”
The proposed channel aims to empower Ghanaian creatives to monetize their content effectively, a model John Mahama noted has already generated wealth for artists worldwide.
“In other parts of the world, creatives are among the wealthiest, but that isn’t the case here,” he remarked.
“The creative arts sector holds immense potential for job creation and economic growth. Many young people are overflowing with talent but lack the platforms to showcase it. Strengthening the foundation of this industry could open up countless opportunities for our youth.”
Beyond the channel, John Mahama shared additional initiatives to support the creative sector, from improving funding and policy support to fostering partnerships that would drive its growth.
His plan reflects a broader vision of transforming the creative industry into a robust economic driver and a key source of employment for Ghana’s youth.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭
