By Seli Baisie
Veteran Ghanaian musician Rex Owusu Marfo, popularly known as Rex Omar, has thrown his weight behind the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its comprehensive plan to breathe new life into Ghana’s creative arts industry.
During a detailed discussion at the 3Entertainment Creative Arts Forum held on August 30, Rex Omar outlined how the NDC’s approach to “resetting” the industry aligns with a broader vision of cultural revival and economic growth.
In an interview with Johnnie Hughes, Rex Omar emphasized that the NDC’s plan is not about discarding existing structures but rather about reorienting the creative sector toward Ghana’s rich cultural roots.
“We are resetting to start believing in ourselves, creating things on our own,” he said.
This approach, according to Rex Omar, is designed to stimulate job creation, attract foreign investment, and boost the economy by capitalizing on Ghana’s unique cultural identity.
The musician highlighted several key initiatives under the NDC’s plan, including the development of a year-round cultural celebration dubbed “The Black Star Experience.
“This initiative is aimed at redefining and affirming Ghanaian identity through major entertainment, artistic, and educational events that span the entire year. The goal is to make Ghana a cultural hub that draws global attention and investment.
Rex Omar also detailed how the NDC plans to modernize and expand traditional industries such as fashion and music. He explained that the party intends to look inward, developing and modernizing traditional music and fashion, with a focus on export opportunities.
“We have to go back to our traditional music, develop it, modernize it, consume it, and export it,” he said. This approach, he believes, will not only preserve Ghanaian culture but also create jobs and generate much-needed foreign exchange.
Furthermore, Rex Omar discussed the NDC’s plans for the film industry, advocating for a return to culturally rooted storytelling.
He criticized the current trend of foreign content dominating Ghanaian television screens and proposed that the NDC will support local filmmakers in creating content that reflects Ghanaian life and culture.
The NDC also plans to establish a film village equipped with affordable production facilities to encourage local filmmakers.
The NDC’s vision extends to tourism, with plans to build on the foundations laid during previous administrations. Rex Omar recalled the significant strides made in the tourism sector under former President John Jerry Rawlings, including the construction of cultural centers across the country.
The NDC intends to revive and expand these efforts, making Ghana a top global destination for cultural tourism. “We are going to actually enhance it and make it even bigger,” Rex Omar assured, referencing ongoing initiatives like the “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return” programs.
The NDC’s broader vision includes revitalizing key infrastructure, such as rehabilitating the National Theatre in Accra and constructing a new one in Kumasi. This infrastructure development is expected to be financed through innovative approaches, including leveraging existing assets to raise funds rather than relying solely on government resources.
“We will use the asset to leverage it to raise the fund to rehabilitate it and allow private partnerships,” Rex Omar explained.
As the NDC prepares for the upcoming elections, Rex Omar’s endorsement of their creative arts agenda is likely to resonate with stakeholders in the industry who are eager for change. By focusing on cultural heritage, job creation, and global positioning, the NDC aims to reset Ghana’s creative industry, making it a cornerstone of the nation’s economic revival.
