The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has urged Ghana’s creative industry professionals to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in order to stay competitive in the global market.
During the 5th edition of Joy FM’s Showbiz Roundtable, themed ‘Manifesto Debate On Creative Economy,’ Mr. Okraku-Mantey emphasized the need for creative experts, especially in music and film production, to incorporate AI into their work.
“If you think digital, automatically AI comes to mind, especially in the arts, particularly music,” Okraku-Mantey said.
He pointed out the growing reliance on AI in music production, cautioning that traditional roles like sound engineering might become irrelevant if industry professionals fail to adapt swiftly.
He encouraged creatives to embrace technology proactively rather than wait to react to changes.
“The digitalisation centre in Ghana must sensitise people, and our schools must ensure that the AI concept becomes part of our DNA so we don’t often become reactive,” he stated.
He criticized the local creative sector for adopting new technologies only after they have become outdated, a practice that has stunted the industry’s growth.
Mr. Okraku-Mantey also stressed the importance of creative schools in equipping students to navigate the evolving digital landscape, urging them to prioritize AI education to ensure graduates are prepared for global competition.
“AI is a global product, so if you delay, you might end up getting out of business,” he warned.
The Showbiz Roundtable, which included industry stakeholders, centered on how policies could influence the future of Ghana’s creative economy, with AI and digitalization being the main topics of discussion.