Ministry of Tourism and College of Art to co-operate

Kumasi (Ashanti), 10^th February 2000

The Kumasi College of Art of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is to assist potters at Pankrono and Adinkra producers at Ntonso, all in Ashanti, to add more value to their products.

The college will provide the producers with technical expertise in the production of refined and quality pots and fast adinkra colours to attract tourists.

This was the outcome of discussions held between Nana Paddy Acheampong, deputy Minister of Tourism, the Dean of the College of Art, Mrs. Joyce Stuber and Lecturers of KNUST following a visit to the College by the minister.

The visit enabled the Deputy Minister to determine areas of co-operation between the College of Art and his ministry.

The visit was part of Nana Acheampong's familiarisation tour of tourism facilities in Ashanti to explore areas of collaboration with institutions and organisations associated with tourism.

Briefing the press after meeting College of Art officials, Nana Acheampong said the College has agreed to display historical and cultural sculptures on the streets of Kumasi for it to maintain its position as the city with a cultural identity.

He said the College would also help local silver and brass smiths to add more value to their products.

The Deputy Minister said his ministry would bring the College into art presentation since it could offer the sort of items tourists need.

Nana Acheampong said the College has also offered to put scenes of the slave trade on the walls of Ghana's castles.

It is the desire of the Ministry of Tourism to increase collaboration between the College and the tourism industry to ensure effective networking.

Mrs Doreen Owusu-Fianko, Executive Director of the Ghana Tourist Board and Mr. E.V. Hagan, Director of the Ministry of Tourism accompanied Nana Acheampong.

GRi.../