By Emmanuel AKOMEA
Chaterhouse, organisers of the annual Telecel Ghana Music Awards, in a bid to empower and nurture creatives while fostering an inclusive creative ecosystem in Ghana, has announced the establishment of Chaterhouse Creative Africa Foundation.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Charterhouse, Theresa Ayoade, the mission of the foundation is to empower and nurture creatives by providing training and internship opportunities and connecting them with work opportunities.
The foundation aims to bring together creatives from various sectors, including music, film and other creative industries, to discuss ecosystem opportunities and value chain opportunities which in turn seek to leave a lasting legacy for the industry. “We have a dream of a society where creatives are fully empowered and thriving, commercially maximising their talent for the full benefits of society,” she noted.
Speaking during the just-ended Telecel Ghana Music Awards Summit held in Accra, she mentioned that one of the key initiatives that the foundation will be tackling is the establishment of Ghana Music Hall of Fame in partnership with the National Museum and Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
This initiative, according to the CEO, is in the short-term, with plans for potentially securing a dedicated building in the long run; and will serve as a repository for Ghana’s rich music history.
Additionally, the foundation will introduce the Creative Hub, which will provide creatives with a workspace and database to connect with opportunities within the industry. This initiative aims to support creatives by offering resources for skill development and networking.
Ms. Ayoade emphasised on the importance of fostering collaboration and cooperation among creatives to address challenges facing the industry. She added that the foundation plans to lobby for supportive policies from government while promoting the industry through spotlight events.
The Charterhouse Creative Africa Foundation also aims to serve as a platform for thought leadership and advocacy within Ghana’s creative industry. By providing a collective voice for creatives and facilitating idea sharing, the foundation seeks to support the long-term growth of the country’s creative economy.
Also, there is a new partnership between the British Council with the British Council’s SoCreative E-Learning Initiative, a collaboration that seeks to augment the support for upcoming artistes with a special focus on the Unsung Category. This innovative programme will provide essential content and training to aspiring artists, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the competitive music industry.
A representative from the British Council, Paul Akrofie, in his remarks, explained that the SoCreative E-learning programme is designed to empower artists and music industry professionals with essential Creative Enterprise business skills. Through a series of complimentary courses, the programme caters for the upcoming and budding young African creative leaders in the music industry, offering support throughout their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Beyond imparting business skills, the programme offers thorough training in diverse facets of creative entrepreneurship. This encompasses areas such as business planning, marketing strategies, intellectual property rights and other crucial components essential for success in the industry.
By providing platforms for dialogue, education and collaboration, these initiatives aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable music ecosystem that benefits artists and industry professionals alike, Mr. Akrofi added.
The Ghana Music Awards Summit served as an opportunity to engage industry stakeholders for an open discussion to shape the future of the music industry. Artists, managers, producers and other key players were invited to share their insights and provide feedback on the development of the industry, underscoring a commitment to collaboration and growth.
The summit also served as an occasion for individuals looking to make a career in the music industry or enhance existing knowledge. The organisers assured that contributions and submissions made would be taken into consideration at the board level for further deliberations.
