When both manifestoes of the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress came into the public domain, concerned persons of the Creative Arts Industry have in a way or two, dissected its promises just to bring to light the fallacies, truths and benefits for the growth of the industry.
In Flex newspaper this week, one of Ghana’s best awards winning actor, Prince David Osei unfurls his views on both manifestoes without fear or favor.
Highlights On Both Manifestoes
According to Prince David Osei, the NDC say they are going to establish Creative Arts with a secretariat and they are going to provide fund for the aged, where aged artistes can access. The aged to him, the government has already started with Obour’s MUSIGA and the Actors Guild giving them some funds. He said some actors have been given cars even though it’s on loan, it has been politicized. The NDC also makes clear, they are going to organize International exchange programs to enhance and ensure the Creative Arts gets to a better level.
NPP as well says they are going to coordinate and harmonize various associations to ensure the Creative Arts is on point and are going to make funds available to modernize and develop the sector; promote regional and district literature, music, dance and drama competition particularly in schools and colleges.
Evaluation
Taking a critical look at both manifestoes, the actor says the NDC seem to have a lot for the Creative Arts as in their tenure of office, they have paid a bit attention to the Creative Arts. He is relieved with the inclusion of funds for the aged which he believes will go a long way to help actors who after sometime are no more usable and tends to be frustrated with no place of stay or cars to drive in.
Prince says the fund is a step in the right direction which the NDC stated clearly. But on the whole, he thinks both parties have something for the Creative Arts industry which is good unlike the previous year which was all about music.
Disappointments
There’s no doubt both manifestoes have something good for the Creative Arts Industry, but there was no mention of royalties for actors on the part of the NDC neither did they make mention of copy right and how to protect people’s intellectual properties or deal with piracy which the NPP stated clearly in their manifesto. This probably didn’t go down well with Prince David Osei and has thus gone ahead to ask how the NDC is going to help the movie sector if there are no modalities or measures in place that will help them access their royalties.
Fascinations
Although disappointed with the NDC for no royalty statement, he is fascinated about the facilitation of the film village in partnership with the private sector to help build the industry. Prince said this is what movie makers have been agitating for that the private sectors come in to help sell Ghana out there through the medium of music and movies for the growth of the industry.
Next Cause of Action
Prince David Osei thinks most politicians come in with sugar-coated words during election years and even though the NDC has started something already while the NPP has a very powerful manifesto, he personally does not believe in some of their talks but is throwing a word of caution to the aspirants that, it isn’t about saying but a matter of implementing whatever is said.
To help make all these promises come true, the actor has said it will be about pressuring the government that come into power and that, the government on their part should as well be unbiased in their deliberations and to do clearly what was promised of them. He believes the nation has come of age and that a 60-70% of anything stated in the manifesto should be accomplished.
Peace Message
In his final words, Prince has said the only way of expressing vote is by use of the thumb. No need for fights or creation of pandemonium, violence or chaos. The country is noted for being peaceful and therefore there should be the tolerance of each other whether for party A or B. He went on to plead with the Electoral Commission boss to be fair and transparent in declaring whoever won irrespective of who put her in office to avoid the repetition of the pink sheet history.
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