The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has recently unveiled its plans for Ghana’s tourism, arts, and culture sector in its 2024 manifesto. The manifesto, launched in Winneba on August 24, 2024, outlines various promises made by Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama.
One of the key areas of focus in the manifesto is the creation and promotion of ‘The Black Star Experience’ as Ghana’s flagship Culture, Arts, and Tourism brand. This initiative aims to redefine and affirm Ghanaian identity, attract investments, create new jobs, and increase tourism. The Black Star Experience will include year-round celebrations in various disciplines such as Pan African Month, Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month, Ghana Music World Culinary Month, and more.
The NDC’s plans for the creative economy also include partnering with Municipal and District Assemblies to organize creative festivals in honor of Ghanaian legends, introducing a well-calendared Black Star Experience, and encouraging community-based cultural programming.
To harness culture for economic growth, the NDC aims to revive the Creative Arts Fund, introduce ‘Cultural Villages’ to showcase Ghana’s diverse culture, support the commercialization of cultural and artistic goods, and invest in capacity building and education in the culture, arts, and tourism sector.
In building a thriving creative industry, the NDC plans to invest in supporting local content creation initiatives, enforce broadcasting and digital media regulations, enhance copyright and royalty management, and promote collaboration with stakeholders in the film and music industries.
To enhance tourism, the NDC intends to build a real-time online database for tourism data collection and analysis, promote domestic tourism, revive abandoned projects like the Marine Drive, diversify tourism offerings, refurbish cultural and heritage sites, and promote local cuisines in hotels and tourist facilities.
In conclusion, the NDC’s manifesto for 2024 is focused on boosting Ghana’s tourism, arts, and culture sectors through a range of targeted initiatives and partnerships. The party aims to create a vibrant and sustainable creative economy that benefits both the industry and the country as a whole.
