African women urged to promote culture through writing

Cape Coast (Central Region) 06 August 2001

Mrs Esi Sutherland Addy of the Institute of African Studies, Legon, on Thursday called on African women to help intensify awareness of the importance of Africa's rich cultural heritage by writing more books on it for the youth.

Mrs Sutherland-Addy made the call when she launched a book entitled: "Coming home ain't easy but it sure is a blessing" written by Mrs Imahkus Nzingah Okofu, an African-American, who has come to settle at Cape Coast.

The 100- page book has chapters on: "Good and bad of moving from America to

Africa", "Problems at the airport", "Visit to the rural areas", "Pains at the castle" and "The rights and history of Ghana."

The launching of the book, formed part of the celebration of 'Women's Day' at the just-ended "PANAFEST 2001".

The day, which was celebrated on the theme: " Making information technology work for women", was attended by about 400 women including those from the Diaspora, Chiefs and Queenmothers and various local women groups.

Participants at the forum deliberated on how best women could be assisted to enhance their activities through improved technological skills.

They stressed the need for the establishment of community computer centres to promote the use of information technology among rural women to enable them to pool ideas on how best to improve their standards.

They also called for the establishment of a women's newspaper and the highlighting of issues concerning women in the electronic media.

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, stressed the need for the women to monitor their children's selection of materials on the Internet to ensure that they chose those which are relevant for their effective development.

GRi…/

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Eight persons, 38 organisations awarded at PANAFEST

Elmina (Central Region) 06 August 2001

Eight personalities and 38 organisations on Thursday received awards for their contribution towards the promotion of Pan -Africanism and the successful celebration of the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST)

The theme for the 10-day celebration was: "The re-emergence of African Civilisation" with a sub-theme: " Uniting the African family: bridging thegap through information technology."

Ghana's First President Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Mr Bob Marley, a renowned Jamaican Musician received the Hero's Award posthumously.

A Heroine's Award went to Rita Marley the widow of Bob Marley. Dr Mohammed Ben Abdallah, of the University of Ghana and Mr Nkunu Akyea of the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHTC) were the other recipients of the Hero's award.

The 38 organisations that also received the pat for contributing to the success of the Festival included Western Union, Toyota Ghana Limited, Ghana Airways and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

GRi ../

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Link PANAFEST, Emancipation Day and handicrafts --Aidoo

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 06 August 2001

Mr. Kwabena Amoo Aidoo, President of Children of Africa Foundation (AJA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on Friday suggested the linking of PANAFEST, Emancipation Day and the exhibitions of handicrafts so as to showcase the country in its entirety.

If PANAFEST has to do with the exhibition of foreign goods, as it obtains now, then the purpose is being defeated, Mr. Aidoo said at the opening of a 10-day Ashanti Co-operative Societies handicrafts exhibition in Kumasi.

PANAFEST should therefore, go beyond Cape Coast to showcase what Ghana could offer in handicrafts and other cultural items.

Nine co-operative societies in Ashanti are exhibiting handicrafts, ranging from Adinkra stamped cloths, brass works, batik, tie and dye, wood carvings, kente cloths and stoles and beads.

It is being organised by the Department of Co-operatives and sponsored by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), First Atlantic Merchant Bank, Mobitel,

Sinapi Aba Trust, AJA Foundation, Aid to Artisans, Nuro Kente Limited and Ahwiaa Wood products Limited.

GRi../

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