Sekondi (Western
Region) 11 December 2002 - Joseph Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Tuesday
said the only way the country could sustain socio-economic development is to
ensure programmes reflected its cultural background.
He was opening a
six-day Regional Arts and Culture Festival in Sekondi under the theme,
"Culture Development and Ghanaian Identity". It is being organised by
the Regional Coordinating Council, National Commission on Culture, Centre for
National Culture and Good News FM station, Takoradi.
Aidoo said this was
the only way for the country in the face of the socio-economic and political
challenges facing Africa especially in this era of globalisation. The country
should identify an appropriate path of development based on its peculiar
culture and circumstances, he added.
Aidoo said, "As
a region, we should resist from blind copying and come out with strategies,
which are consistent and suitable to our environment". Efo Kodjo Mawugbe,
Western Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, announced that
the National Festival of Arts and Cultural (NAFAC) would be held in the region
next year at a date to be decided.
He said the Centre
was working on a five-year Arts and Culture Development programme for the
Region, which would ensure that the three major International Festivals had
been held before the country's 50th anniversary in 2007.
The events include
the African-African-American International Choral Music Festival scheduled for
the Bethel Methodist Church, Takoradi, in February 2003 and the West African
Schools and Colleges Drama and Theatre Festival, in 2005.
Efo Mawugbe said a
Regional Philharmonic Choir and a Metropolitan Youth Choir for children between
10 and 12 years were to be formed, adding that, arrangements were being made
for a drama group from the region to be featured on Ghana Television on regular
basis.
He said a top concert
party would be performing at the festival on Saturday by the courtesy of the
National Theatre of Ghana and under the auspices of the Regional Coordinating
Council.
The Regional Director
said a Metropolitan KIDDAFEST programme would be held on 26 December in
Sekondi. He urged the Ghana Education Service to encourage Senior Secondary
Schools to set up clubs to make it possible for the holding of a regional
students drama festival, in 2003 before the first national students drama and
theatre festival, in 2004.
Awulae Attibrukusu
III, Vice-President of the Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhene of Lower Axim
Traditional Area, said the festival offered the opportunity for ethnic groups
in the region to display their culture. Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy
Regional Minister, opened a bazaar and grand sales at the festival.
GRi…/
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