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IGP, Police Management Board interact with creative industry
Ace broadcaster, Abeiku Santana and IGP exchanging pleasantries
The Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo-Dampare and the Police Management Board (POMAB) on Tuesday met some stakeholders of the creative industry at the Police Headquarters.
The meeting which was at the instance of the IGP and POMAB was attended by musicians, actors and media personalities among others.
At the gathering, the police offered the creative industry the platform to air their grievances, concerns and suggestions regarding their challenges with the police and general policing in the country.
In the end, various issues regarding copyright, piracy, profiling of musicians, event security and collaborative content for the police TV among others, were discussed.
In the end, the IGP and POMAB resolved to involve creatives in content creation for Police TV.
Additionally, they promised to reinforce security at events, particularly after the events when the audience is dispersed and waiting for means of transportation to their destinations.
To ensure intellectual property rights were respected, they resolved to collaborate with Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) to enforce copyright laws.
On the issue of profiling of musicians by the police especially those in dreadlocks, they assured of a cordial relationship.
George Akuffo- Dampare added that all the issues raised would be properly addressed.
The IGP and POMAB in 2021 instituted the annual meeting with players in the creative sector to understand their concerns and address them.
Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) President, Bessa Simons, GHAMRO boss, Rex Omar, Abrantie Amakye Dede, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Amandzeba Nat Brew, Akosua Agyapong, Medikal were all present at the meeting.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
