Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) on Friday asked the government to help in construction of the long awaited school of arts in the country for the growth of the creative sector.
The copyright body’s vice chairperson Ezaius Mkandawire said once the school comes into effect, it will propel the creative sector to contribute more to gross domestic product, which is currently at about 4.6 percent.
Mkandawire said the levels of investment in the creative sector are not promising compared to countries such as Zambia, which previously used to import creative products from Malawi.
Speaking at the pre-budget consultation meeting for the 2023-24 fiscal year in Mzuzu, Mkandawire said the trend could change if there were heavy investments which include construction of the school set to cost K5 billion.
“So, if the government wants to build the economy, growing more numbers in terms of employment, then the government needs to invest in the sector.
“We also appreciate that most of the players in the creative sector are informal; they did not go to learn their craft from a recognised university. But now, if you do not build the capacity of the people that are in the creative sector, then you do not get the benefit that you really want”, he said.
Mkandawire said the government needs to invest in school of arts so that “we have better qualified people, then get more creative goods and services and make more money”.
He said they already have a site in Lilongwe, an artistic impression of the school and that they have had conversations with some donors.
