Dr. Bawumia shares personal struggles as he pledges support for the Creative Arts Industry
The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, shared personal stories of hardship during a meeting with members of Ghana’s creative sector on Wednesday, October 17, 2024. The meeting, held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, aimed to discuss the needs and aspirations of the industry.
In response to a heartfelt plea from dancehall artiste Shatta Wale, who called for solutions to help vulnerable youth living on the streets, Dr. Bawumia expressed his understanding of their struggles, revealing that he too had faced similar challenges earlier in life.
Switching to pidgin English at Shatta Wale’s request, Dr. Bawumia shared, “Me I be farm worker before, by-day worker, I be taxi driver before, I be cleaner before, so I know how people dey suffer before.” His words struck a chord with many in the room, as he emphasized his empathy for those in difficult circumstances.
He went on to highlight some of the humanitarian work he has been involved in over the years, particularly his efforts to support marginalized communities. “What dey my heart be the people wey dey suffer for the country inside. E be ein dey my heart. I be patron of Leper’s Aid Ghana. Me den lepers dey eat together because I dey wan help them. Also, I be patron of Mother Teresa’s Soup Kitchen and we help the street children. So my heart dey the street inside. The thing wey I dey do all, I dey do am sake of I wan help the people,” he explained.
Dr. Bawumia further stressed the role of digitalization in empowering the youth, making it easier for them to navigate life’s challenges without falling prey to exploitation.
The meeting saw attendance from various stakeholders in the arts and creative industries. Following a presentation on the NPP’s achievements and future plans for the sector, attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas on how to further enhance the industry.
As part of its commitment to the creative sector, the NPP outlined several key initiatives they would implement if elected in the December 2024 election. These include tax incentives, streamlined travel protocols, an e-visa system for international visitors, and online streaming platforms to boost local content creators.
