Governments don’t respect creative arts – Prince David Osei

In the midst of constant criticism and relentless probing into the affairs of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Creative Arts, the Minister seems to have taken a defensive stance for itself. That’s the opinion of actor Prince David Osei who recounts an unpleasant experience.

According to the actor, government administrations for some years now have not done much for the sector because they simply have no respect for the industry.

He told Joy Prime’s Ibrahim Ben-Bako that “not the former President, not HE J.A. Kuffour, and not even the present government” have done much for the sector. “I think they don’t respect showbiz. That’s all I’ll say.”

Prince David Osei was doubtful that there is a welcoming atmosphere or platform on which stakeholders like him could air their grievances and concerns to the Madam Catherine Afeku, the sector minister.

He recounts that “as you rightly know, I was standing there with you when she came to me and blatantly said, ‘am I one of the people fighting her?’”

For the actor, this perception by the Minister already makes it difficult to try to dialogue.

He added, “if she’s going to meet me as an actor and she’s the minister, and she’s going to introduce herself that way to me, then it tells it all.”

The actor also thought it was needless for tourism ambassadors to be selected because they are dormant.

“People have been made ambassadors for tourism and they are just dormant. What’s the point?” he questioned.

The remedy, he suggests, is for all stakeholders to come together as a “unified body, to tackle issues, forgetting individualistic interests.”