Veteran filmmaker and arts advocate, Socrate Safo, has fired a passionate shot at government -appointed creatives declaring that the time for talking is over and the era of action must begin.

In a strongly-worded open letter posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, July 2, Safo urged Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, and other government creative appointees to stop repeating challenges that have plagued the industry for decades and instead provide the leadership needed to transform it.

Using an inspiring story shared by former Black Stars midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng about Italian football icon Andrea Pirlo, Safo illustrated what he believes true leadership should look like.

According to him, Boateng once recounted how, during training at AC Milan, he constantly shouted for the ball until Pirlo called him aside with a simple message.

"If you're free, I'll have already seen you."

For Safo, those words embody the qualities expected of leaders—vision, foresight and the ability to solve problems before they are repeatedly pointed out.

"Great leaders do not need to be reminded of the obvious. They see what others miss. They anticipate challenges before they become crises," he wrote. (Read Ghana’s Telcos Owe Musicians and It’s Time to Pay Up)

Turning his attention to Ghana's creative industry, Safo argued that its problems have been discussed exhaustively over the years and should no longer dominate conversations without corresponding action.

He cited inadequate funding, weak copyright enforcement, piracy, poor infrastructure, limited access to international markets, low investment and the lack of sustainable policies as recurring issues that have featured in conferences, interviews, policy papers and media discussions for years.

"Our expectation is not for you to keep repeating these problems back to us," he stated.

"Your appointment was not to become the industry's loudest commentators. It was to become its most effective problem-solvers."

According to Safo, the creative community has "shouted long enough" and now expects leadership capable of identifying opportunities, implementing reforms and delivering measurable results.

He stressed that every day spent diagnosing the same challenges without decisive intervention represents another missed opportunity for filmmakers, musicians, actors, writers, fashion designers, visual artists and thousands of young creatives who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.

Describing the creative economy as one of Ghana's untapped economic assets, Safo said the sector has the potential to generate employment, boost tourism, strengthen cultural diplomacy and contribute significantly to national development if supported by bold policies and strategic investments.

"The industry is not asking for sympathy. It is asking for leadership," he emphasised.

He further challenged the appointees to ensure their tenure is remembered for the institutions they strengthened, the policies they implemented, the investments they attracted and the opportunities they created, rather than speeches about problems everyone already knows exist.

In a humorous aside, Safo singled out musician and presidential staffer Rex Omar, writing, "As for my brother Rex Omar... you, okay, I will deal with him later," a comment that has since generated reactions on social media.

Safo ended his letter with a rallying call that has resonated with many stakeholders in the industry.

"Like Pirlo, see the free spaces before anyone has to call your attention to them.

"The creative industry has shouted long enough... Now, Ghana is waiting for leadership that sees, acts and delivers."

His comments add to the growing expectations from industry players following the appointment of a new team to spearhead Ghana's creative sector, with many practitioners hoping the coming years will bring long-awaited reforms and renewed investment into the industry.