Bawumia promises creative arts sector tax incentives, streaming platform

Vice-President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has revealed plans to offer tax incentives and launch a local music streaming app to accelerate the growth of Ghana’s creative arts sector.

Local digital music streaming platform
He announced that the first-ever digital music streaming platform for Ghanaian musicians, film producers, and content creators would be launched in November this year.
This initiative, made possible through a collaboration between the government, the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMBRO), the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), and music producers, aims to provide a platform for tracking, collecting, and distributing royalties, as well as generating revenue for local creatives.

Addressing challenges of international platforms
During an engagement with key players in the arts and creative industry in Accra, Dr. Bawumia pointed out the limitations of international streaming platforms such as Spotify.
“Spotify and other platforms are externally owned, so it’s not surprising that the payments to our musicians are very little,” he remarked.
He emphasized the need for a local streaming platform that could properly showcase Ghanaian talent and ensure higher earnings for artists.

Promoting local talent and industry growth
The Vice-President reaffirmed his commitment to nurturing local talents in the arts and creative industry to create more job opportunities for the youth.
He also promised to facilitate special financing and guarantee support for musicians and content creators through the Development Bank of Ghana to further boost their work.

Plans for National Hospitality Training School
Dr. Bawumia revealed plans to establish a National Hospitality Training School to train personnel to deliver professional services within the tourism industry, further enhancing the sector’s development.

Prioritizing E-Visa Acquisition for Tourists
On the subject of visa acquisition, Dr. Bawumia assured that under his administration, electronic visa (e-visa) acquisition for international travellers visiting Ghana would be prioritized.
This, he said, would significantly boost the number of tourists coming to Ghana and greatly increase the country’s foreign earnings.

Completion of conference facility at Ghana Trade Fair
Dr. Bawumia also pledged to prioritize the completion of the conference facility at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, ensuring it serves as a key infrastructure for promoting tourism and international engagements.

Tax incentives for the creative industry
In a bid to accelerate growth in the creative sector, the NPP flagbearer promised to introduce tax incentives to support creatives.
He emphasized the importance of listening to industry players before making policy decisions, stating, “I met the Pope in Rome recently, and I asked for his advice. The Pope told me, ‘If you are a leader, you must listen a lot before you take any decision.'”
These initiatives form part of Dr. Bawumia’s broader vision for the arts, tourism, and creative industry under his presidency.