BY Issah Olegor
Former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has advised the government against investing in museums dedicated to deceased cultural icons.
According to him, such actions could create unnecessary controversies and spark public backlash.
Okraku-Mantey believes that direct government involvement in building museums for individuals could lead to complaints from other celebrities who feel left out.
He cited the example of potential public outcry if a museum was built for one person but not for another.
“Government should not even show interest in any museum of any celebrity… Knowing my people, they will come and say ‘they did it for Lumba but they didn’t do it for Dada KD’,” he said.
Alternative Solution
Instead of fully funding such projects, Okraku-Mantey suggested that the government should provide an enabling environment for private sector and community-driven investments.
This way, the private sector can maintain the infrastructure, and the government can avoid potential problems.
He referenced the ongoing efforts by Kwahu traditional leaders to establish a museum in honor of the late ‘King of Highlife’, Nana Kwame Ampadu, as an example of community-driven.
Okraku-Mantey made these remarks during a discussion on how to preserve the legacies of Ghanaian creatives.
He emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for the private sector to support the preservation of Ghanaian cultural heritage.
