Cultural Centre tasks stakeholders to guard cultural assets

The Greater Accra Regional Centre for National Culture has called on relevant stakeholders to work together to safeguard the country's cultural assets to ensure that future generations inherit a legacy of cultural pride and innovation.

To this end, it urged the government, traditional authorities, cultural leaders and citizens to harness the power of culture as a tool to consolidate Ghana's democracy and promote sustainable development of the country. 

The call was made at the Accra Regional Festival of Arts and Culture (REFAC) in Accra last Thursday.

The event was a prelude to the 62nd anniversary celebration of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) slated to be held from October 25 to 31, this year, in Techiman in the Bono East Region. 

NAFAC aims at providing the platform to mobilise stakeholders in the arts and culture industry to interact, showcase talents and creativity and project the values of Ghana's heritage as well as develop the spirit of national identity and pride.

As part of the event, there was an exhibition of arts and crafts from all 29 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the region, showcasing the region’s cultural heritage. 

The festival also featured a regional beauty pageant, with the winner and first runner-up from Ga East and Ga North respectively to represent the region at the NAFAC. 

The event displayed rich traditional drumming and dancing from cultural performers of various ethnic groups with a special focus on Ga cultural roots.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly emerged winners of the cultural performance competition followed by Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly. 

The various category of winners would represent the Greater Accra Region at NAFAC.

The Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture, Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, admonished stakeholders to ensure that Ghana's culture was not dedicated to festivals alone but should become a vital part of daily lives and national development agenda.

The event, which was sponsored by Metro Gold Group of Companies and Asor Body Works, was on the theme   “Beyond NAFAC at 60: Harnessing culture, the pivot for Ghana’s Democracy and Sustainable Development”. 

Country’s values

Nana Otuo Acheampong said REFAC was not just a showcase of performances but a celebration of the country’s values, history and identity as Ghanaians. 

“REFAC is a moment to reflect on the contributions of Ghana's culture to the development of democracy and the advancement of society,” he said.

According to him, as Ghana looked towards NAFAC’s 62nd anniversary, it must seize the opportunity to focus on how cultural practices could foster national unity, social cohesion and sustainable development as it prepared for the December 7 elections.

Festivals like this, he indicated, were not just platforms for entertainment, adding that they served as springboards for nurturing talents, promoting tourism and creating employment opportunities.

He indicated that one of the beautiful features that the Greater Accra Region offered was the diversity of its people in a harmonious blend of ethnic groups, languages and traditions all co- existing peacefully, adding that “this festival is a powerful symbol of that unity in diversity”. 

The Greater Accra Regional Director for CNC, Eric Ohene-Larbi, urged artistes, policymakers and educators to take up the mantle of responsibility in promoting culture as a cornerstone of democracy and sustainable development of the country.

“Let us collaborate across sectors to create initiatives that elevate our cultural assets while addressing contemporary challenges,” he said.

Mr Ohene-Larbi stressed that sustainable development could not be achieved without recognising the importance of cultural heritage, adding that traditions held valuable knowledge about sustainable practices that had been passed down through generations.

The creative sector, he said, had immense potential to generate jobs and stimulate local economies, adding that investing in cultural industries could drive economic growth.

The Regional Director said REFAC and NAFAC had been more than just celebrations, saying that they served as platforms for dialogue, creativity and unity among diverse communities across Ghana.

Be proud Ghanaian

The Cultural Ambassador of Ghana and Chief Executive Officer of Asor Body Works, Georgina Opoku, underscored the need for  Ghanaians to deepen culture by taking pride in consuming local foods and drinks, wearing traditional dresses and speaking native languages with children at home. According to her, placing value on these foods would boost the health of the people and consolidate the bonds of cultural heritage.

 The Osu Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Bonne V, emphasised the importance of going back to the roots to trace cultural practices that sustained cultural heritage as a society.

He urged all ethnic groups to take pride in their orientation, adding that cultural diversity was a demonstration of God’s handiwork.