Creative Arts Needs Funding – MC Yaa Yeboah

Entertainment commentator MC Yaa Yeboah has expressed disappointment over what she describes as government neglect of the creative arts sector, particularly the lack of funding and attention given to the Black Star Experience initiative.

Speaking on United Showbiz on September 13, 2025, Yaa Yeboah appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama to make funds available for the Creative Arts Industry. She insisted that national pride and the sustainability of past gains depend on proper investment.

“I’m appealing to the president, if not for anything, for the sake of national pride, they should find money for the Creative Arts Industry. If not, all the money and time we invested into the Year of Return initiative will go to waste,” she stated.

Yaa Yeboah also pointed to comments by presidential staffer and Black Star Experience coordinator Rex Omar, who recently admitted that it could take about two years before the scheme begins to show real progress.

Omar had also noted that existing creative arts programs would be “built upon and emphasised” as part of the government’s strategy.

Yaa Yeboah, however, questioned whether the sector is being treated with the seriousness it deserves. She stressed that there has been no budgetary allocation for the Black Star Experience in 2025, despite earlier promises that monthly events would be held throughout the year. She also wondered why popular cultural events such as the Chale Wote Festival have not been revived.

“This year, have we seen anything about the Chale Wote Festival? Is it that they don’t take the creative arts sector seriously? These are the things that the opposition will use against the NDC,” she argued.

According to her, Ghana risks losing international recognition if consistency is not maintained. She recalled how the country received global attention during the Year of Return and cautioned that the momentum could fade without regular activities to showcase Ghana’s culture and entertainment.

“We have seen Ghana being mentioned on major international platforms. Right now, the world knows us. So if we don’t remain consistent, we will lose our lead. How are we okay saying that for the entire year, there was no budget allocation?” she said, adding that the uncertainty about events for December shows the lack of direction.