Ghanaian journalist and blogger Andre Mustapha Nii Okai Inusah, popularly known as Attractive Mustapha, has stated that there was no compelling reason for the Minister for Finance to revisit issues relating to the creative arts sector during the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, insisting that the government's position on funding for the industry had already been comprehensively outlined by President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking on Accra FM's Entertainment Capital programme hosted by Prince Benjamin (PB), Attractive Mustapha explained that mid-year budget reviews are primarily designed to assess macroeconomic performance, fiscal outcomes, revenue mobilisation, expenditure execution and any significant policy adjustments. 

According to him, such reviews do not necessarily revisit every budget allocation, particularly where there have been no major policy changes, supplementary appropriations or implementation challenges requiring parliamentary approval.

He argued that the omission of the creative arts sector from the Finance Minister's presentation should not be interpreted as government neglect, noting that President Mahama had only a few months earlier provided a detailed roadmap for investment in the sector.

Attractive Mustapha recalled that during the farewell ceremony for outgoing Swiss Ambassador Simone Giger, President Mahama announced a GH¢40 million allocation to the creative industry, equally divided between the Film Fund and the Creative Arts Fund. The President further disclosed an additional GH¢20 million dedicated to the Creative Arts Fund to support practitioners across the broader creative economy, while allowing industry stakeholders themselves to determine the most effective utilisation of the resources.

The President also indicated that future allocations would be performance-based.

"Depending on how effectively the funds are used, Government will consider increasing allocations in subsequent years," President Mahama stated, stressing that Ghana possesses exceptional creative talent that can only reach its full economic and cultural potential through deliberate public investment.

According to Attractive Mustapha, the President had already presented a clear policy direction, making it unnecessary for the Finance Minister to repeat the same commitments during the Mid-Year Budget Review.

He noted that from a fiscal management perspective, the Finance Minister's responsibility during a mid-year review is to report on economic performance and adjustments to the national budget rather than restate previously announced sector-specific policies that remain unchanged.

"The President had already communicated government's commitment to the creative industry, including the funding framework and long-term investment strategy. Unless there is a new policy intervention or an additional allocation, there is no requirement for the Finance Minister to revisit the same subject during the mid-year review," Attractive Mustapha explained.

He further highlighted that President Mahama had assured industry players that government would continue making strategic investments in the creative economy over the next three years with the objective of expanding tourism, promoting Ghanaian culture, creating employment opportunities and strengthening Ghana's global cultural brand.

While acknowledging concerns raised by some stakeholders within the creative arts industry, Attractive Mustapha maintained that practitioners have every democratic right to express their opinions, concerns and grievances regarding government policy.

However, he urged that such engagements should be constructive and balanced.

"Creative arts practitioners are fully entitled to voice their opinions and raise concerns, but they should do so constructively. It should not be portrayed as though President Mahama has abandoned the creative arts sector when, in fact, his administration has made one of the most significant financial commitments to the industry in recent history," he said.

Concluding his remarks, Attractive Mustapha described President Mahama as one of Ghana's strongest presidential advocates for the creative industry.

"On record, apart from Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, no President in the history of the Fourth Republic has demonstrated the level of commitment, appreciation and practical support for the creative arts sector as President John Dramani Mahama has done," he stated.

He expressed optimism that the government's planned investments, if managed efficiently and transparently by stakeholders, would accelerate the growth of Ghana's creative economy while positioning the country as a leading cultural and creative hub in Africa.