AUDIO: Ultra-modern studio building saga: I’ll not disclose the amount government offered to my outfit – Okraku Mantey 

Last year 2017, President of the Creative Arts Council, Mark Okraku Mantey stated that the government will release GH¢2.4 Million to his outfit for the whole year, to commence some of its projects.

However, last week, Mr. Okraku Mantey told the media that, government has released some funds to the Creative Arts body which is meant for building an ultra-modern studio.When asked to reveal the exact amount the government offered to his outfit for the ultra-modern studios project during an interview with Doctor Cann on Happy FM’s Showbiz Xtra, he indicated, “For the figure I don’t know. I should come and tell you the figure now, so that in future you can refer to me that I mentioned it but it wasn’t the truth.”

He further explained that, “Please government money issues are not like private ones, where it can show on your ATM machine, for you to know the exact amount. No, it is not like that, there are processes and even with the processes, we are not done. Even with the paper work we have the bank account details, even with that one, it is not like we have a cheque book in our possession. The money is at the Bank of Ghana currently, so we not done.”

“We are supposed to have GH¢2.4 million for the year, which traditionally those who have been there before we came, are saying that it is not possible. So traditionally in the last quarter none of the previous people received something, it does not come. We have that in mind as well, so it was just first and second that came” he deduced.In March 2017, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in consultation with key stakeholders, appointed a three-member to lead the Creative Arts Council, to help implement policies to help improve creative Arts and Culture in Ghana.

The team includes Mark Okraku Mantey, as President, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo; daughter of President Akufo-Addo as Director, and actress Bibi Bright as Secretary.

By: Eugene Baah