In a bold move to create a more enabling environment for Ghana’s creative industry, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has held a stakeholder engagement with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to deliberate on taxation and policy issues affecting creatives.
The meeting, led by the sector Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, brought together key players in the creative arts space and tax administrators to discuss how taxation can be restructured to support rather than stifle growth in the sector.
In her opening remarks, Gomashie stressed the urgent need to balance revenue generation with the economic realities of creatives.
“What we lack is why we are here,” she stated. “We have a teeming number of talented young people, but without proper structures and understanding, the sector cannot thrive. We are here to find a human-centered approach to taxation.”
The Minister praised President John Mahama for recognizing the creative sector’s value by realigning the ministry in 2013 to include Creative Arts formally, stating that the sector’s contribution to tourism and national revenue must be acknowledged and nurtured.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, affirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting the sector, noting, “If we shut down this sector, there would be a crisis in this country.”
He highlighted that taxes fund national development and stressed the importance of finding a mutually beneficial framework for compliance that considers the peculiar challenges of creatives.
A key highlight of the meeting was the introduction of a new digital tool, the Ntoboa app, aimed at helping creatives better manage their tax obligations and contributions. The platform is expected to improve transparency and simplify the tax process for industry players.
The Minister also announced initiatives to use theatre and performing arts to educate creatives on tax issues. “We’ll work with National Theatre players and theatre groups to raise awareness through community-based skits, flash performances, and market outreach,” she said.
The session ended with a mutual agreement to reconvene for a more detailed working session, where a roadmap and possible incentives for the sector will be discussed further.
This landmark meeting signals a new collaborative chapter between government agencies and the creative industry, aiming to ensure long-term sustainability, equity, and economic contribution.
Source: Delassie Mabel Awuku- PR Unit-MoTCCA
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