Dr. Bawumia expressed these thoughts following his visit to the Akwaaba Village in Accra, where Afua Asantewaa Aduonum, a native Ghanaian, is aiming to set a new world record for the longest individual singing marathon.
He showed his support for the young singer and stated that the creative arts sector could contribute greatly to job creation and foreign exchange earnings, given the vast talent pool. However, such potential could only be untapped if more investments are poured into the sector.
“We have a wealth of talent in the creative arts, but the level of investment falls short. The benefits we could derive from greater funding could be tremendous - job creation, earnings from overseas, and so on. However, we simply haven't done enough in recent years and that needs to change," he reported to Accra-based Citi News on December 25, 2023.
The Vice President, who is also the flag bearer NPP, appealed to Ghanaians to support Afua in her quest.
"Afua is determined to break a world record, a feat that is indeed not simple to achieve." Such a feat may feel overwhelming, particularly on a day like Christmas when others are with their families. Therefore, as Ghanaians, it is our responsibility to back her up with constant encouragement and support.
"So, I believed it was important for me to personally witness her endeavor and assure her that the whole of Ghana is cheering for her. We hope she succeeds in establishing a new record", he expressed.
Afua, who has been ardently followed by the Vice President, started her attempt by singing Ghanaian songs in a consecutive manner at the Akwaaba village. Her journey began on the stroke of midnight on December 24 and is anticipated to conclude on December 27, which means she will be performing non-stop for 4 days and 9 hours. This attempt is targeted at breaking the current Guinness World Record held by Sunil Waghmare, an Indian who sang for 105 hours back in March 2012.
