Players in the Creative Art Industry are calling for the passage of a Legislative Instrument (LI) in relation to Act 935 to enable them subscribe to a pension schemes and afford insurance policies.

Act 935 stipulates that a person shall not display for renting or rent out, sell or distribute any film unless that person holds a license issued by the National Film Authority for that person.

Speaking at the Creative Arts Stakeholders Pension Conversation, Advocate for Performers’ Rights in Ghana, Salim Hannawi indicated that the lack of regulation to enforce the act has led to many creative people to retire in poverty.

“All we want is the Legislative Instrument which is in support with Act 935 to be passed immediately. If the President wants to see this document, he should engage the sector Minister or call on the advocates who drafted it,” he said.

“Apparently, the LI is before parliament, we expect government to put it through the pace or call the drafters to make amendments if any, then finalise it and be able to put it in effect to support Act 935 because an act alone is not actionable. The LI is very important. It will make sure that all our economies are in place, we’ll be making our monies and we will not die poor,” he said.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture organized the Creative Arts Stakeholders Pension Conversation to educate industry players on how to plan for retirement.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey beseeched insurers and players in the pension industry to develop tailor-made solutions for the creative industry.

“I doubt that when Act 935 was being drafted, players in the creative art industry were considered. However, I implore insurers and players in the pensions industry to go back, and develop tailor-made solutions to suit the industry and then reach out to government. This will motivate creative people to individually purchase insurance and sign up on a pension scheme,” he stated.

Meanwhile, George Bosompem, a Filmmaker, indicated that the lack of zeal of creative people to save for their retirement has led many into impoverishment. He stated that continuous education will help change the narrative.

“There is a law that enforces those in the formal sector to sign onto a pension schemes but for the informal sector, it is a choice. So I find this conversation very important. What I will propose is that the association and guilds will continue to educate their members so that we don’t always have to contribute to support retired artists,” he advised.