The Ghana Culture Forum (GCF) has urged the government to consider establishing a national art gallery.
Such a facility was said to preserve the artistic and intellectual works of artists for posterity.
Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, Secretary General of the Forum, speaking to the Ghana News Agency, lamented how the country has lost the iconic artworks of Amon Kotei and Kofi Antubam and continues to miss out on artistic works by the younger generation.
“I’m a visual artist, but we don’t have an art gallery to exhibit the work of legendary Ghanaians like Kofi Antubam and Amon Kotei,” he said.
The artist said the art gallery is one of the infrastructure investments the government should make to boost industry value chain activities through exhibition, promotion and sale of artworks.
Nana Owoahene Acheampong said galleries around the world have become a fundamental space in the art market to bring sellers and buyers together, which Ghana needs to capitalize on.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said in the 2022 State of the Union (SONA) address that the creative arts industry has great potential and that the government will unlock it through education and skills.
“The Creative Arts Senior High School in Kwadaso, construction of which is currently 70 percent complete, will serve as a beacon for many young and talented people who aspire to fulfilling careers in this field,” said the President.
Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong praised the school’s facilities and said it was “bridging the gap”.
However, he suggested that the government should set up at least one complex training center in all 16 regions to train prospective and industrial actors in the various fields – film, art, sculpture, music, among others.
“As it stands now, everyone in the industry is trying to find a way to equip themselves, so appropriate accredited institutions should be set up, capacity-building programs and seminars set up for members,” he added.
Nana Owoahene Acheampong also appealed to the government to support the industry with credit facilities.
Source: GNA
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