The Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) has issued a statement calling on the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture (MoTAC), the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Interim Creative Arts Council to update the Creative Arts Industry “the achievements and accountability chalked so far by the tourism ambassadors who were chosen” to spearhead the “See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana”, campaign.
The GTA and MoTAC in 2017 welcomed 30 Ambassadors at a cocktail event to promote Ghana’s tourism with Actor Bill Asamoah being the 31st addition.
According to FOCAP, the ambassadors received various funds to embark on their respective projects which have to be accounted to the creative arts industry and as such calls on the ministry and other agencies involved in the ambassadorial appointments to come out with the modalities, finance and other mechanisms which these ambassadors used to execute their projects.
The advocacy and pressure group urged the ministry to pair future tourism ambassadors “based on the set Agenda, the Focus, Plan, Mission and Vision of MoTAC and GTA to drive projects to help achieve a bigger plan for the benefits of the industry”.
Read the full statement below:
FOCAP DEMANDS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OF TOURISM AMBASSADORS
Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals an advocacy and pressure group is calling on the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Interim Creative Arts Council to immediately tell the Creative Arts Industry the achievements and accountability chalked so far by the ambassadors who were chosen.
In September 2017, Hon. Catherine Ablema Afeku – The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture together with executives from Ghana Tourism Authority and the government in an august ceremony in the Northern Region of Ghana, unveiled about 30 tourism ambassadors with a 12 months mandate each (technically, their term has ended).
The Minister on the 29th of January 2018, during the meet the press series said in her speech that ” the ambassadors are to champion a tourism and culturally – specific project of their choosing and to pursue a project reflecting that interest.” The minister during the same press conference said 10 ambassadors have already submitted their projects proposals covering Tourism, Arts and Culture in their communities for implementation to serve as incubators for the youth.
FOCAP believes and is in full support of using our creative arts personalities to bring the necessary investment, attention and in effect bring the mutually beneficial relationship of the Arts and Culture to bear. It is with this believe that we are calling on the minister and other authorities to help tell the stories of the achievements and accountability of the ambassadors. FOCAP wishes to state that a continues engagement with the industry especially on activities/ projects like the ambassadors should be transparent to the industry so doubts will not be formed.
FOCAP believes that the ministry and other agencies involved in the ambassadorial appointments should come out with the modalities, finance and other mechanisms which these ambassadors used to execute their projects. We are informed that all the ambassadors listed below, received their funding and it is imperative for the industry to see their achievements.
Reggie N Bollie
Okyeame Kwame
SP Kofi Sarpong
D Black
Nana Ampadu
Fancy Gadam
Agya Koo
Lucky Mensah
Sena Dagadu
Diana Asamoah
Cindy Thompson
Fuse ODG
Van Vicker
Sam Okyere
Dada KD
Kaakyire Kwame Appiah
Wiyaala
Stephen Appiah
Leo Mensah
Andy Dosty
Bibi Bright
Yvonne Nelson
Daddy Lumba
Sherifa Gunu
Paa John
Dadson Sarkodie
Kwame Afrifa
Mensah Azmera
Asabea Kropa
Boris Kodjoe
Praye
FOCAP also wants to suggest that going forward, instead of projects coming from the ambassadors especially reflecting their interest, we will urge the ministry and other agencies to rather pair projects with Ambassadors based on the set Agenda, the Focus, Plan, Mission and Vision of MoTAC and GTA to drive projects to help achieve a bigger plan for the benefits of the industry.
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