According to Baba Sadiq, it is too late for the new Tourism Minister to revive the flagging creative sector

Baba Sadiq believes that more all-encompassing solutions are needed for the creative sector, and that the nomination of a new minister will do nothing to address the enduring problems that beset the sector.

His comments follow a cabinet reshuffle that saw attorney and Sekondi constituency MP Andrew Egyapa Mercer replace Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ibrahim Mohammed Awal on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Baba Sadiq claimed that the difficulties plaguing the creative industry were not being addressed in a proactive manner and that it was too late for the new appointee to turn around the failing sector. 

Baba Sadiq claims that the minister designate's limited term in office as a result of the impending elections presents a major obstacle to his ability to implement any significant reform.

"As everyone is aware, this is an election year, and the government shuts down from June until the December election in order to concentrate on the campaign and elections. 

"The few months they have left to deliver to us will be eaten up by that time. The minister designate cannot do much because he is a sitting member of parliament who is also running for reelection.

"He has been in office for less than ten months and is not a member of the industry. If he wants to advance the sector, which will take time, he will need additional time to research and comprehend the area. Someone with the necessary speed to manage the area would be needed.

"He needs more time to find resources, learn how things work, and understand the sector and issues and challenges in the industry before he can pick up, and the time is very limited for him to do all of these," he told Graphic Showbiz.