Entertainment Pundit, Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo says the government’s failure to construct the regional large capacity theatres as promised in their 2016 manifesto disrespectful to the country’s Creative Arts fraternity.
According to him, government should have explained why they had been unable to honour that promises when they became aware that they could not construct the theatres as promised.
He said it would have been better if the government was open about their challenges and proposed an alternative solution rather than keeping everyone in the dark.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo said: “And so along the line when you realised that it was impossible or not feasible to actually erect these new large seating capacity theatres, what’s wrong?
“All you need to do is tell Ghanaians that listen, whilst I was in opposition I figured I could do it. But in government it’s not easy like that so I’m unable to achieve what I promised. However this is what I will like to do to appease or cater to your needs. Are we going to whip anybody?”
The New Patriotic Party in their 2016 manifesto had pledged to construct new large capacity theatres in all the regions of Ghana.
This, the government said was to provide a venue for concerts and film screenings etc.
However, after 3 years in office, there has been nothing to show for it, except for the rehabilitation of some Centres for National Culture (CNCs).
However, members of the Creative Arts fraternity say the government had not promised to rehabilitate existing buildings; instead, they had stated they would construct new large theatres. Thus failure to do so amounts to deception and disrespect on the part of the government to the Creative Arts industry.
The pundit said: “But my issue is with the narrative, it’s as if we are not deep thinkers. So the establishment is that there has been a deception, there has been some level of disrespect to the industry with regards to these theatres.”
