A Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has revealed that the ongoing Marine Drive project which is a 241-acre redevelopment scheme to build Accra’s waterfront initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture will include a performance theatre.
Speaking on Citi TV’s breakfast show, the Deputy Minister said the plan of the marine drive has a space where artistic performances can take place.
“The original Marine Drive drawing is not going to eliminate the Arts Centre concept. If the Marine Drive is ready today, we should find a whole auditorium in it, which is going to have about 2,500 people,” he said.
He also said that the marketers of the artworks near the marine drive could be moved to the new place being put up by the government at Kawukudi, but the performance centres and the art galleries should be kept and integrated into the Marine Drive facilities.
“The Arts Centre has archaeological and historical value, and in terms of promoting the arts, there are people who live in Chorkor, who live in Bukom, who reside in Osu who do not have money to get vehicle to the rehearsal centre. Once you demolish that place it means all these people need to walk to Kawukudi” he said.
The CEO of Slip Music Production, Mr. Okraku-Mantey also added that the new location for the arts centre is near completion and has about 700 stores for the arts marketers.
The Marine Drive Tourism Investment Project is expected to be completed by 2027.
