Unlike the 2012 budget, this year’s budget did not make any provision for the creative industry contrary to the promises of President John Mahama.
Government for the first time made an allocation of GHc2 million in the 2012 budget for the creative industry.
It was expected that government had finally realised the need to support the creative industry and that annual budgetary allocations would be made for the industry.
Disagreement erupted after it emerged that only members of the musicians union accessed the funds. Some players in the movie industry were unhappy.
Following the disagreements over the money, President John Dramani Mahama speaking at a meeting with selected members of the creative industry at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi ahead of the 2012 general elections, promised to increase government’s budgetary allocation to the sector in order that many will benefit from the support.
He said, “I am just assuring that we are going make another budgetary allocation more than the amount [that was given] and you have to collectively come out with a blue print for investing it in the best way that will serve our purpose.”
In spite of that promise, there was no mention of an allocation to the creative industry in the 2013 budget presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister, Seth Terkper Tuesday.
The only mention of the creative industry in the budget, which is under the theme: “Sustaining Confidence in the Future of the Ghanaian Economy”, was about an investment in the ecologies of Mole and Kakum National Parks, and Shai Hills. This was captured on page 40 of the 57 paged budget.
Under Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Minister said: “Mr. Speaker, Government engaged the Tourvest Investment Group of South Africa and secured their interest to invest in the ecologies of Mole and Kakum National Parks, and Shai Hills. The Ghana Tourism Authority established the Tourism Development Fund to develop and promote the sector. In this regard, the Tourism Levy Regulations LI 2185 was passed to operationalize the Tourism Act 817.”