President Mahama initiates construction of modern performance centrePresident Mahama initiates construction of modern performance centre

Accra, Feb 6, GNA - President John Mahama has initiated a process through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, to access a Turkish Exim Bank financial assistance for the construction of an ultra-modern regional theatre centre in Kumasi.The process is in line with government's vision to support the creative arts industry and to encourage private sector investment in the local music and film industry to sustain and export the enduring values of Ghanaian culture and tradition.Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, announced the President’s initiative in Accra on Wednesday when she launched this year’s Ghana Music celebration.The week on the theme, “Positioning Ghanaian Music as Heartbeat for Tourism Promotion,” runs from March 2 to March 9.Activities planned for the week include a Ghana Music Day, Ghana Music Week Kick Off Party, an opening ceremony, a two-day workshop on Music Development and Artiste Management, Ghana Music Honours, a Ghana All Star Live Concert and a Jam Jones and Nite Club Jams.All the events would take place in Accra unless otherwise stated.Mrs Ofosu-Adjare announced that the organizers, the Musicians Union of Ghana, has decided to run the theme as a broad one for the next three years to advertise Ghana’s music on a very large scale, so that it secures its rightful position in the world.“This is welcome news as government is aware of the many untapped potentials in the tourism and creative arts that require various forms of investments which music continues to be one of them,” the Minister said.She reiterated that government would continue to facilitate the forging of partnership with all stakeholders and Development Partners to mobilize funding for the construction of a state-of- the-art multi-purpose auditorium for organising events, including musical shows in Ghana.Mrs Ofosu –Adjare announced that a committee that was drafting a legal and regulatory framework for the Creative Arts industry has been constituted, adding that the Committee was at the final stage of submitting a draft document.Mr Bice Osei Kuffour, President of the Union, said the week which would take place in Ghana’s independence week, would attract international artistes from the United Kingdom, the Carribean, and the United States, among other nations.He appealed to music operators to give priority to the playing of Ghanaian music during the week-long celebrations.There were solidarity messages from the National Theatre, the Accra Brewery Limited and Airtel, collaborators of the celebration.GNA Read Full Story