Ghana tourism ministry to hold creative industry masterclass

The seminar will run under the theme, Black Stories Matter: Forging Collaborations for the Development of Ghana’s Creative Industry. It forms part of activities to firm up relations between creative entrepreneurs in the country and the diaspora, and explore business opportunities for both communities. 

The masterclass also falls into a larger seven-pillar plan that the government hopes to implement over the next decade through the Beyond the Return campaign. The campaign is a follow-up to 2019’s Year of Return tourism drive. Beyond the Return, according to the country’s tourism ministry, reflects the government's commitment to spurring overall development in Ghana and bridging existing creative and business gaps between Ghana and the diaspora.

The event is scheduled for 5pm WAT and will be moderated by broadcaster Ivy Prosper and Hampton University lecturer Prof Eleanor Earl. It will be broadcast live on the Accra-based Hitz 103.9 FM and streamed on Facebook.

The speakers include American actor Lamman Rucker, producer Chris Roland, music mogul and film producer Vassal Benford, entrepreneur and two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis, fashion and interior design expert Etu Evans, Emmy-winning producer Shelby Stone, the project manager for Digital Entertainment and Media at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Asante Bradford, Prolific Media Holdings CEO RJ Bucaria and celebrity hairstylist Philonese West.

This is not the first time a summit of this nature is being held for creative practitioners in Ghana. In 2019, Michelle Rice and AJ Johnson led similar seminars in Accra and Kumasi. 

Meanwhile, the Beyond the Return project is calling for proposals for its officially endorsed programmes taking place between September and December. Submission forms are available here. For more information about this opportunity, visit the Beyond the Return website.