Entertainment entrepreneur now turned politician Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu has criticised the Ghana Trade Fair Company for the demolition of the Fantasy Dome on Saturday, March 16.
Speaking in an interview on TV3’s The Afternoon Show on Monday, the NDC Parliamentary candidate for Okaikwei Central said the demolition is an insensitive act to investors in the creative industry.
He explained that the Trade Fair Company could have handled the situation in a better way considering the fact that there are not enough event centres for the creative arts space.
“It is very insensitive to the diasporans and investors in the creative industry. There is lack of venues and venues has been one of the biggest issues and so for a government that made promises to that effect and could not deliver it in eight years, I felt that they were going to manage the issues and ensure that investors are not dealt a lone deal in the industry.
🚨ICYMI🇬🇭🎪: Fantasy Dome, a $25million(in today’s value) & 15,000+ capacity renowned event center in Accra, allegedly faced demolition by the Ghana Trade Fair Company, as revealed by Leslie Quaynor, CEO of Fantasy Entertainment.
Quaynor disclosed in an exclusive interview with… pic.twitter.com/xCqBk35bjr
— Ölele | DTS👨🏾🍳🇬🇭 (@OleleSalvador) March 17, 2024
“Leslie does not deserve this; he has been a long-term investor in the industry. I know the level of investment he puts in the creative industry. It could have been handled in a much better way,” he stated on March 18.
Baba Sadiq further lamented that such acts by government makes investors shy away from investing in the creative sector.
“Already the industry is down with investment, the industry is lacking venues, the industry is down from some of the regulations that are taking money away due to lack of sponsorships and when there are few individuals who believe in the industry, this is the treatment that they are given,” he noted.
According to Sadiq, Leslie Quaynor, the Chief Executive Officer of the Fantasy Dome is one the huge forces contributing to the improvement of the creative sector.
He said Mr. Quaynor has been the brain behind some of the major musical events which has generated revenue to some talents and created employment whether direct or indirect.
Fantasy Dome demolished, CEO alleges Ghana Trade Fair Centre is responsible
Background to the demolition of Fantasy Dome
On Saturday, March 16 some unknown men with protection and support from some National Security officials razed down the Fantasy Dome.
Chief Executive Officer of the facility, Leslie Quaynor alleged that the demolition was carried out under the instructions of the Ghana Trade Fair Company for failing to relocate after its tenancy expired on December 31 last year.
Mr. Quaynor said despite securing a court injunction to restrain the demolition, the Trade Fair Company ignored the court injunction and proceeded with the demolition.