Beneficiaries of the Masterclass
Fidelity Bank Ghana, through its Orange Inspire initiative, has partnered with Akuna Pod to host a Creators’ Economy Masterclass under the theme “Turning Creativity into Currency.”
The session brought together emerging creatives and entrepreneurs at the Akuna Group headquarters in Labone in Accra for a practical learning experience focused on helping creators build sustainable, financially sound businesses.
The masterclass forms part of Fidelity’s growing commitment to supporting Ghana’s creative sector with the knowledge, tools and advisory services needed to unlock economic value from creative work.
The event featured beneficiaries of the Orange Inspire initiative alongside members of the Akuna creative community.
Kwame Abrokwa, Senior Sustainable Finance Manager at Fidelity Bank, described the event as part of a renewed, data-driven commitment by the bank to treat creativity as a catalyst for national development.
“At Fidelity Bank, we have long believed that creativity is a catalyst for development. Yet we also recognise that for many creatives, the path to sustainability and financial growth is not always straightforward. It became clear that supporting creatives requires more than appreciation; it requires strategy, partnership and consistency,” Mr. Abrokwa stated.
He emphasised that the collaboration with Akuna Group is designed to provide the “foundational tools” needed to build bankable brands.
“We are actively working toward a future where creatives have a clear seat at the table, where their businesses can access the same opportunities, respect and financial structures afforded to more traditional sectors,” he added.
The session operated on the premise that creativity has intrinsic value that must be unlocked through structure. To demystify the business side of art, the masterclass featured expert sessions tailored to the unique needs of the creator economy.
Albert Francis Swanzy, one of the experts, guided participants through the nuances of financial management, sharing critical insights on how creators can structure their brands to maximize profits, manage cash flow and position themselves to be “investor-ready,” shifting the mindset from gig economy workers to business owners.
Legal practitioner, Evelyn Bediakoh-Adu, tackled the often-overlooked bedrock of the creative industry, intellectual property rights. Her presentation underscored how protecting creative assets is essential for monetisation and long-term value creation.
Mariam Kaleem A-Buahin, Chief Operating Officer of Akuna Group, reinforced the necessity of a supportive infrastructure, outlining Akuna’s role in driving capacity building and providing both physical and digital infrastructure across Africa.
“Everything we do here is to enable and to ensure that everyone who believes they are creative can find a place for themselves,” Ms. A-Buahin said.
She highlighted the Akuna Wallet as a tool for financial inclusion that allows creators to receive payments globally and detailed the group’s investment in physical studios across Ghana, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.
“At the end of the day, creators are entrepreneurs,” she reminded the audience, and added, “You just need an ecosystem around you to take you to the next level. And that next level is where we want to come in to be that intersection of what your next level looks like.”
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