NAFAC must be
measured in economic returns
Ghana Red Cross mounts first art exhibition
NAFAC must be
measured in economic returns
Ho (Volta Region) 20 November 2000
Naa Dr. Puore Puobe Chiir the seventh,
member of the Council of State on Saturday called for the utilisation of the
economic potentials of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) to
national advantage.
Naa Dr Chiir, who is also the
Nandom Naa, said the boom in the craft market in the Upper East region is a
testimony that NAFAC 1998 created work for craftsmen of the area.
Addressing a national durbar of
Chiefs and people at Ho to mark the opening of NAFAC, 2000 under the theme:
"Sustaining a culture of peace, unity and development in a new
millennium", he said: "This boom is reflected in the sharp increase
of crafts in the non-traditional exports statistics."
Naa Dr. Chiir said celebrations of
NAFAC should therefore not be seen as biennial affairs of travelling to exhibit
indigenous culture alone, but also "to translate the success of our
participation in these festivals into turning the wheel of the economy for
prosperity."
He said the festival has become an
institution that seeks to send a strong message "of our determination as a
people to live together in peace".
Naa Dr.Chiir asked Ghanaians to
appreciate that the cultural base of the country is deeply rooted in the
philosophy of love for one another and the duty to consider each other as a
brother or sister must not be taken for granted.
He noted that the demonstration of
this philosophy underlines inter-relationships across the country in which
anyone becomes a fully accepted resident in another area other than his own
birthplace.
The Nandom Naa cited
inter-marriages and ability to communicate in one another's languages as strong
unifying foundations of the country.
Naa Dr. Chiir said the national
desire for peace and unity would be secured if the cultural practices that
identify and bind the people together were sustained.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Chairman of
National Commission on Culture (NCC), said culture is all embracing and should
be seen as a tool for national development.
The opening ceremony was preceded
by a procession of chiefs, some of whom rode in palanquins dancing to the tunes
of traditional drums to the durbar grounds.
Groups that entertained the
audience included the National theatre players and the Dzodze Atiblaga, which
performed the escape of the Ewes from Notsie amid applause from the audience.
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles
Agbenaza (Rtd), Volta Regional Minister, launched a book entitled "A Taste
of the Volta Region" which provides useful information to students,
academics and investors.
Activities planned for the 10-day
festival include Tata Amu Choral music night, Regional days, community
out-reach programmes, Ghanaian films and seminars.
GRi../
Ghana Red Cross mounts first art exhibition
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 November 2000
The Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) on Thursday held its first ever art exhibition and sale to raise funds to support its operations at the National Theatre Asafo Gallery in Accra.
The GRCS mounted the show in collaboration with the National Theatre and Art CRA as part of the second annual Accra Visual Arts Week of the society.
Proceeds from the exhibition, consisting of paintings, watercolours, ceramics and sculptures from renowned artists, will also go a long way to help the GRC in its humanitarian efforts in disaster preparedness and response, health care in the communities, AIDS prevention, education and control and first aid.
The renowned artists who featured were Carola Buchart, Wanssi, Larry Otoo, Beckwith, Happy Kufe, Asomani, Hacajaka, Owusu Dartey and Papa Essel.
Some of the arts works on display were Royal Bowl, Unity Pot, Pot and Lid, Mask Parade, Architectural Symbol, Family Walk, Friends, Corner House, and the Last Catch.
The others were Sisterhood, Composite Abstractor, Modern Woman, Rest, Beijin, Three Women, Texture Pattern and Motives and Palace of Shelter.
GRi../