The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has revealed that Cabinet has approved a proposal for the resumption of works on stalled theatre and cultural infrastructure projects in the Ashanti Region.

She said the government would prioritise completing projects started by the previous administration before commencing work on new facilities, including the proposed Kumasi National Theatre.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, August 10, the Minister said she had presented the proposal to Cabinet after touring existing cultural facilities in the Ashanti Region.

“I’ve taken a tour of the Ashanti Region’s theatre spaces and Centre for National Culture spaces, and I’ve advised, I’ve suggested to Cabinet that instead of starting a new one, we focus on finishing what has been started,” she said.

Madam Gomashie said Cabinet had approved the proposal, meaning the government would now focus on completing the stalled projects before considering the construction of new ones.

She said the approach was intended to ensure that public investments already made in the region were not left to deteriorate while government embarked on new projects.

“Cabinet is in approval of that suggestion, so that’s what is going to happen. And then, if the opportunity comes, we start anew,” she added.

The Minister said the decision formed part of efforts to improve cultural infrastructure and provide functional spaces for creative practitioners in the Ashanti Region.