Hon. Ike
Ghanaian comic actor and digital content creator, Isaac Kofi Dzokpo, popularly known as Hon Ike, has called on the government to take urgent and deliberate measures to make content creation a thriving source of employment for the country’s youth.
Speaking about the rising interest of young people in digital platforms, Hon Ike stressed that content creation has evolved into a global industry worth billions of dollars, yet Ghanaian creators remain at a disadvantage due to persistent challenges with monetisation and payouts.
“Content creation is not just about comedy skits, music videos, or TikTok dances. It is a serious business and a powerful economic tool. Thousands of young people are already embracing it as a career, but they are trapped by barriers that deny them fair earnings,” he said.
Hon Ike noted that most Ghanaian creators struggle to access their earnings from platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Meta because of the limited local payout systems, high transaction charges, and restrictive monetisation policies.
This, he explained, has discouraged many youth who could otherwise turn their creativity into a sustainable income. He therefore urged the government to negotiate with international digital platforms to expand monetisation access to Ghana, while also collaborating with local banks and fintech companies to simplify and speed up payout systems.
“Imagine how many unemployed graduates and school leavers can find jobs if the digital economy is taken seriously. This is not about entertainment alone; it is about survival and national growth,” he emphasised.
Hon Ike called for targeted government policies that recognise content creation as part of Ghana’s creative economy. These policies, he said, should include tax incentives for young entrepreneurs, subsidised data packages, and legal frameworks that protect creators from exploitation.
He further highlighted the need for nationwide digital skills training hubs to prepare young people to compete globally in areas such as video production, editing, branding, and online marketing.
Speaking on driving youth employment, Hon Ike argued that investing in the content creation industry could drastically reduce Ghana’s youth unemployment rate. By empowering creators, he believes the government can open new doors for entrepreneurship, export Ghanaian culture to the world, and boost the country’s image as a hub of digital innovation.
“Content creation is a goldmine waiting to be tapped. If the right policies and support systems are put in place, Ghana can become a leader in Africa’s digital creative economy. Government cannot afford to ignore this opportunity,” Hon Ike concluded.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke