GHC 38 Million For The Tourism, Culture And Creative Arts Sector | What Happens To Our Center For National Culture In Sunyani?

The impasse at the Center for National Culture (CNC) is still a matter of concern to some of us who has the Brong Ahafo Region at heart.

It is almost getting to a year since the region hosted the bi-annual National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC)—boasting of a substantive Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts who hails from the region.

Many of us thought that Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare was going to be the ‘Yaa Asantewaa’ of Bono Man—in helping to complete the only cultural center in the region which passed governments left unattended to. But one may have to wake up from his/her sleep if that was what you dreamed about.

As if they care about…the CNC as at now remain standstill and being the play grounds of lizards—so in what senses should a whole chief wake up and promise 80% of votes for the ruling party who has failed to deliver on its promises?

We all witnessed how government forces jumped in pleading with the Concern Youth of Sunyani—who threatened to prevent the NAFAC from taking place in the Region.

The building was even painted whilst it wasn’t near its completion—and trust me, such thing will never happen anywhere in Ghana—but only here in B/A.

Sometimes I wonder if things like this happen because of the timidity of the people—or as a result of bad leadership.

A whole regional capital cannot boast of a Cultural Center—and some of its people are proud to say the President is our ‘Akonta’ (Brother-in-law) so we will definitely vote from him…

I am not a ‘partisan political animal’, so I’m not even bothered about the political colors that some people may sew for me after this—the truth must be told.

I am very happy to note that the John Dramini Mahama administration has announced that an amount of GH₵38,918,393.00 has been allocated to the Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts sector for the year 2016.

I won’t be quick to judge as to weather this government is committed in improving and promoting the Ghanaian culture—and traditions. How can you say you are promoting culture at the regional level without the completion of the Center for National Culture in Sunyani.

The Finance Minister, Mr. Seth Terkper made it known when presenting the 2016 Budget Statement to Parliament, on Friday that: “government has completed the construction of the Accra Visitor Information Centre (AVIC) and will commission the facility by the end of the year to provide one-stop shop information to tourists.”

So what is holding the government back from completing the Center for National Culture in Sunyani which was started by the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah?

“In 2016, the Ministry will continue with its engagement with key stakeholders including MDAs/MMDAs, Traditional Authorities and the Private sector to mobilize support for the development and packaging of tourism, culture and creative arts products. The District Tourism Offices will be commissioned to decentralize tourism administration in the country,” according to Mr. Seth Terker.

This time round, we don’t want to be disappointed by our Traditional Authorities who will have the opportunity to engage with the government. The needs of the people and the region must be the number one priority—and not any promising of votes in the upcoming elections.

Almost GHC 10,156,687.00 from the GHC 38,918,393.00 allocated to the Tourism, Culture and Creative Art sector, will be from internally generated funds (IGF)—of which the Brong Ahafo region also contributes with at least some pennies—So What Happens To Our CNC?

Written By: Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku
Follow @Mrkokgh via twitter