Oheneyere Mercy Asiedu, a renowned Ghanaian actress, has found herself at the center of a debate about a significant missed opportunity for Ghana's creative arts industry. According to Mawuli Ekpe Peter, also known as Abro, a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice chairman for the Nhyeaso constituency, the government offered Mercy Asiedu a $2 million grant to develop her film village in Kunsu. Unfortunately, this opportunity reportedly slipped away because she did not submit the required proposal.
Ekpe Peter revealed that this grant was part of a government initiative to establish a film village in Ghana. He explained that during the leadership of Barbara Oteng Gyasi, who served as Minister of Creative Arts, Tourism, and Culture after the COVID-19 pandemic, the government was exploring possible locations for the project. Mercy Asiedu's already-established film village in Kunsu seemed like a perfect fit.
Building a film village from scratch would have been a daunting task, according to Peter, which made Mercy Asiedu’s project an attractive option for the government. The $2 million grant was intended to support her work and help the industry grow. However, Peter claims the Kumawood actress never submitted a proposal, which was the only requirement to access the grant.
Peter further explained that this offer came at a time when the government was providing grants, not loans, to support creative arts projects. He emphasized that the $2 million grant was "free money" that could have made a significant impact on Mercy Asiedu's film village. However, her refusal to submit a proposal meant that the funds were never allocated.
After the tenure of Barbara Oteng Gyasi ended, Ibrahim Awal took over as the Minister of Creative Arts. With this change in leadership came new priorities, and the opportunity for Mercy Asiedu to receive the grant was lost.
Peter also shared insights into why he believed Mercy Asiedu declined the grant. He alleged that some external influences might have affected her decision. According to him, during a meeting at Mercy Asiedu's home, someone suggested that she demand $5 million instead of the $2 million being offered. This advice, Peter believes, might have discouraged her from accepting the original grant.
This revelation has sparked conversations about missed opportunities in the creative arts sector and how leadership changes can impact ongoing projects. Peter expressed disappointment that such a promising opportunity was lost, especially when the government was willing to invest heavily in a project that could have significantly boosted the local film industry.
The $2 million grant, equivalent to GH¢260,000,000 at the time, could have transformed the film village in Kunsu into a world-class facility. It would have created jobs, supported local filmmakers, and attracted tourists and investors to the area. Instead, the lack of a proposal meant that the funds went unclaimed, and the government moved on to other priorities.
Peter also used this incident to criticize some actors who continue to support former President John Dramani Mahama. He argued that while Mahama provided cars to some actors during his tenure, the NPP government has offered more substantial support to the arts and entertainment industry. He contrasted the cars gifted by Mahama with the grants and other forms of support provided under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s leadership.
Peter’s comments have reignited discussions about the challenges faced by Ghana's creative arts industry. Many have questioned why Mercy Asiedu did not submit the proposal, especially when the grant could have had such a significant impact. Others have raised concerns about how external influences can derail opportunities that could benefit the entire industry.
The story also sheds light on the broader challenges of aligning government initiatives with private sector projects. It highlights the need for clear communication, timely decision-making, and a shared vision for the growth of the creative arts industry.
Despite the missed opportunity, the story of Mercy Asiedu's film village remains an inspiring example of individual effort and determination in the creative arts. Her work has already made a significant impact on Ghana’s film industry, and with the right support, it could still achieve even greater success.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of seizing opportunities and being open to collaboration. For Ghana’s creative arts sector to thrive, industry players and the government must work together to create an environment where ideas can flourish and projects can succeed. Whether or not this particular chapter ends in disappointment, it underscores the potential for growth and innovation in Ghana’s film industry.
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