Bawumia, Idris Elba discuss investment in Ghana’s creative arts industry
The Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, has met with celebrated English actor, Idris Elba to discuss the creative arts industry in Africa with special reference to Ghana.
Held at the Jubilee House on Thursday, February 15, 2024, the meeting focused on the financial inclusion of Ghanaian creative arts and devising strategies to integrate them into the worldwide financial ecosystem.
The internationally renowned multiple award-winning actor, who was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 for his services to drama, has visited Ghana a number of times. The last visit was in February 2023, when he called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and was also at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to celebrate Akwasidae with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Commitment
After the meeting, the Vice President issued a statement via his social media handles thanking Idris Elba for his commitment to the development of the African creative arts economy. He described the meeting as a meaningful dialogue on the dynamic and expanding creative arts economy of Africa.
Read the full statement:
Today, I met with celebrated actor, Idris Elba and his team, and we had a meaningful dialogue on the dynamic and expanding creative arts economy of Africa. Our focus was on the financial inclusion of Ghanaian creative arts and devising strategies to integrate them into the worldwide financial ecosystem. Many African industry players are locked out of the global payments ecosystem and we therefore discussed the proposed implementation of a new system leveraging blockchain technology to assist them and ensure that they get paid for their music and arts no matter where in the world it is used commercially.
Given Ghana’s relatively advanced system of digital payments, the new system is expected to be launched in Ghana later this year. My thanks to Idris Elba for his commitment to the development of the African creative arts economy.
