Creative arts to be elevated

-As Bawumia, Idris Elba talk discuss strategies

Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and celebrated American actor Idris Elba engaged in a profound dialogue about the promising future of Ghana’s creative arts.

The discussions centered on exploring opportunities to elevate the country’s dynamic creative industry.

During the encounter, Vice-President Bawumia emphasized the need for financial inclusion within the creative arts sector, drawing attention to the challenges faced by many African artistes who currently find themselves excluded from the global payments ecosystem.

The dialogue aimed to address these issues and devise strategies to integrate Ghanaian creatives into the worldwide financial landscape.

One proposal emerging from the conversation is the implementation of a revolutionary system leveraging blockchain technology.

This forward-thinking approach seeks to overcome barriers and ensure that artists receive rightful compensation for their work, regardless of where in the world it is commercially utilized.

Ghana, with its established digital payment infrastructure, is poised to take a leading role in launching this innovative system later in the year.

Vice-President Bawumia expressed appreciation for Idris Elba’s commitment to advancing the African creative arts economy, signaling a collaborative effort to drive positive change within the industry.

It will be recalled that on Friday, February 3, 2023, the actor announced plans to build a film studio in Ghana during a courtesy call on the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Elba disclosed that the rationale behind building a film studio is to empower local and international movie producers to produce standard and quality movies in Ghana.

He explained that although much can be achieved in the film industry in Africa, the region lacked the required facilities.

Elba believes his project would help salvage the situation and act as a steppingstone for greater things in Ghana.

President Nana Akufo-Addo assured him of his administration’s support, noting that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has embarked on developing a policy framework to guide filmmaking in the country.

Apart from his quest to build a film studio in Ghana, English actor Idris Elba also wants to see creative arts education in the country being more functional.

While in Ghana last year, he emphasized the importance of education in the creative arts industry.

He highlighted the need for young people aspiring to enter the industry to receive proper education, stating that school is a good entry point.

Elba expressed his commitment to boosting the education process alongside the film initiative.

He emphasized the importance of the government’s role in promoting education in creative arts and suggested integrating an education component into the film studios being established in Africa.

He has been spotted in parts of Kumasi, shooting scenes for a new movie.