Renowned filmmaker and Chief Executive Officer of Liezer-Legacy Productions, Louis Lamis, has made a passionate plea to the government to create a more conducive environment for young creatives to flourish.
Speaking at the 2024 Level UP seminar, organized by the ASOR mentoring network, Lamis expressed frustration over the government’s unfulfilled promises to the creative industry. “I think the government hasn’t been fair to the creative industry,” he said. “They rely on us to communicate serious policies they want; they rely on creatives to do their campaigns.”
Lamis highlighted the significant role creatives play in shaping public opinion, particularly during election campaigns. “If you’ve observed, in past elections, the strongest points for campaigns have been their songs. Yet, what are they doing to create the kind of environment to ensure that these creatives thrive?” he questioned.
The filmmaker emphasized that the government’s inaction has led to a history of broken promises. “I think we’ve had a lot of promises. They have failed us all,” he added.
Lamis also discussed the need for a comprehensive approach to supporting the creative ecosystem. “It’s an ecosystem,” he explained. “You can’t pick one element in the structure and try to enhance it; you must start from the ground. If you’re focusing on filmmaking, you must start with writers. What institutions are training our writers? How well are they prepared?”
He further emphasized the importance of infrastructure, copyright laws, and royalty systems in protecting creators’ rights. “Are there auditoriums or cinemas for these productions to be premiered? Are there platforms for them to be streamed?… Copyright laws aren’t being enforced. Royalty systems aren’t strong in Ghana. Creators aren’t protected by the law,” Lamis said.
Dr. Shalom Addo-Danso, founder of the ASOR mentoring network, noted that the youth struggle to identify areas where they can contribute, particularly in graduate studies. “Through our interactions with the participants, we’ve noticed that there are some missing links and gaps in their understanding of preparing for graduate studies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of YAISL’s Kitchen, Ms. Adwoa Pomaa Danquah, encouraged the youth to develop essential soft skills to ensure sustainability after school. “After school, everyone is looking up to leadership for employment. So, when we’re not employed, it becomes a problem… Learn a basic skill,” she advised.
The Level UP seminar aims to empower Ghanaian youth through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing, fostering a community where ideas are shared to help young individuals build successful lives and achieve their dreams.
