The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Catherine Afeku has been rebuked for calling Andy Dosty of Hitz FM’s question to know how much was pumped into this year’s AFRIMA Awards lame.
Hon. Catherine Afeku in a radio interview with the entertainment morning show host on Tuesday asked the presenter and many others who want to know the amount of money the government has spent on the 5th edition of the awards to focus on the event but not what they want to know. Her comment on Hitz FM describing Andy’s question as lame has angered entertainment critic and writer, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo to vent his displeasure.
Mr. Baidoo in a Facebook post has said Ghanaians have the right to question the amount the state is investing into the awards so the minister should not describe such a question as lame. He explained that the money the government is spending on the awards “if not a grant or loan from wherever – is our money, tax payers money and as citizens, it’s our right to know how much and what our monies are being used for.”
Arnold Asamoah Baidoo in the Facebook post zionfelix.net read said “STOP PAMPERING THE MINISTER!
On Monday, a bunch of confused stakeholders in the film industry wrote a long letter, cosseting and applauding the Minister for just going about her duties as a Minister. That’s fine!
Yesterday, on Hitz103.9fm, Andy Dosty II queried the Minister on the amount Government committed to AFRIMA. The woman called the question ‘lame’ and the host was disappointingly sluggish in protesting such a slapdash remark.
The money given to AFRIMA (It starts today, anyway) and other related projects in the industry, if not a grant or loan from wherever – is our money, tax payers money and as citizens, it’s our right to know how much and what our monies are being used for.
The money is not for the Minister, so, if she classifies such a question flimsy, don’t respond with an irritating giggle – prod further!
Stop mollycoddling the woman and hold her accountable!”
2018 AFRIMA Awards starts on Wednesday, November 21 with arrival party and ends on Saturday, November 24 with the main awards ceremony. The November 24 awards will be preceded with a mega concert at the Independence Square with all top artists on the continent showing up to entertain thousands of Ghanaians.