The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled plans to employ the services of content creators to promote Ghana’s culture on a global scale. This initiative is part of the party’s manifesto, launched in Winneba.
“We will support young digital content creators to develop content that promotes Ghanaian culture,” states a portion of the manifesto.
The manifesto also outlines several promises made by NDC’s Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama, aimed at boosting Ghana’s creative economy. The NDC plans to integrate cultural and economic empowerment by harnessing culture for economic growth and building a thriving creative industry. To achieve this, the NDC’s Creative Arts Fund will be set up to provide sustainable financial support for start-ups and struggling creative enterprises, ensuring recipients can manage resources effectively and grow their ventures.
In addition to supporting digital content creators, the NDC will invest significantly in capacity building and digital platforms to equip artists with the skills needed to create commercially viable content and succeed in the digital world. The party also plans to establish cultural villages, which will serve as vibrant centres showcasing Ghana’s rich heritage while functioning as hubs for local content creation. These villages will produce and promote Ghanaian films, music, fashion, and crafts for both local and global audiences.
To further enhance tourism, the NDC’s policy includes refurbishing and modernizing Ghana’s iconic cultural heritage sites and developing new ones. The construction of new Centres of National Culture and the refurbishment of existing ones will aim to attract international tourists and foster domestic tourism through immersive, community-based cultural programming. The party also plans to develop diverse tourism offerings, from culinary to health and wellness tourism, creating jobs and commerce opportunities within local communities.
If elected, its government will introduce digital tourism platforms to offer real-time online databases and virtual reality tours, broadening the reach of Ghana’s tourism offerings and establishing Ghana as a top-tier tourist destination. The party is committed to inclusive cultural participation and protection, ensuring that Ghana’s cultural and tourism sectors are accessible to all, with legal and financial protections, including a pension scheme for creatives. This initiative will provide a safety net for artists, allowing them to focus on their craft.
Additionally, the NDC plans to review and enforce broadcasting and digital media provisions to stimulate local artistic productions, enhance the collection and management system for copyrights and royalties, and partner with the private sector to build an ultra-modern recreation village with auditoriums for films, musical concerts, and other special events. The party will also prioritize the refurbishment and development of tourist facilities that accommodate people living with disabilities (PWDs), along with providing training opportunities to help them secure jobs in the sector.
The NDC’s policy extends to the Ghanaian and African Diaspora, offering a legal and ethical framework to help those wishing to relocate to Ghana integrate smoothly into the cultural economy. Collaborations with diplomatic missions will promote Ghana’s cultural and tourism offerings abroad, enhancing the global presence of Ghanaian culture.
The NDC also aims to create and promote “The Black Star Experience” as Ghana’s flagship Culture, Arts, and Tourism brand, making Ghana a preferred tourism destination. This year-round celebration will cover all major entertainment, artistic, and educational disciplines, including Pan African Month, Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month, Ghana Music World, Culinary Month, Architecture, Design, Arts and Crafts, Fashion and Textiles Month, and Literacy/Literary Month.
