Enhancing internet connectivity and investing in digital platforms are critical to fostering content creation and distribution for the growth of Ghana’s creative economy. Fashionista and creative arts advocate Beatrice “Bee” Arthur stressed this point in a recent interview with The High Street Journal, emphasizing the need for partnerships with global streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube to feature Ghanaian content more prominently on the international stage.
According to Bee Arthur, technology and digital media are central to the development of the creative sector. She proposed grants and incubator programs to encourage innovation in gaming, animation, and virtual reality. Arthur also highlighted the importance of equipping creatives with digital marketing skills and suggested establishing a national talent database to showcase Ghana’s creative talent and attract global collaborators.
Additionally, Bee Arthur advocated for partnerships with private organizations to provide training in modern creative tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital marketing. She identified these skills as essential for scaling the creative economy and ensuring that Ghanaian creatives remain competitive in the global market.
Over the past five years, Africa’s creative economy has experienced rapid growth, especially in music and film, extending its influence worldwide. The continent’s creative sector generates an estimated US$4.2 billion annually, with a growth rate that outpaces other sectors. Ghana, with its rich cultural heritage, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and make the creative economy a key driver of national growth. However, Bee Arthur pointed out that a lack of coordinated policies and strategic investment has hindered the sector’s potential in Ghana.
To address the financial challenges facing the creative economy, Bee Arthur called for the establishment of a Creative Arts Fund to provide loans, grants, and seed capital to entrepreneurs in the sector. She also proposed public-private partnerships to attract private sector investment and urged the government to support local crowdfunding platforms, enabling creatives to raise funds for their projects.
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Bee Arthur’s proposals, which blends technology, financing, and collaboration, could offer a blueprint for unlocking the full potential of Ghana’s creative industries, transforming them into a significant growth pole for the economy.
