Former Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has advised the government to avoid directly funding museums dedicated to deceased cultural icons, warning that such moves could stir unnecessary controversy and public discontent.
Speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with Kwame Dadzie, Okraku-Mantey emphasized the importance of preserving the legacies of Ghanaian creatives—but cautioned against state involvement in selecting individuals for such honours.
“The government shouldn’t get involved in building museums for celebrities. Let me explain why: I’ve been in this space, and I know our people. If one is honoured and another isn’t, people will start saying, ‘They did it for Lumba, but not for Dada KD.’ That alone can make the government unpopular,” he said.
He stressed that the government should focus on creating a supportive environment, such as providing land or incentives, rather than taking on full responsibility for such projects.
To support his point, Okraku-Mantey cited the Kwahu traditional council’s efforts to build a museum in memory of the legendary Nana Kwame Ampadu, adding that community-led or private sector initiatives are more sustainable.
“To avoid political fallout or voter backlash, the government should simply create the space for others to lead. Private entities are better positioned to manage and maintain these projects, especially when public infrastructure is already under strain,” he concluded.
His remarks were part of a broader discussion on preserving the legacy of Ghanaian creatives.
