The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) has held a stakeholders validation workshop to review the National Cultural Policy as part of the Ministry’s efforts to meet the current demand of the sector.
It was supported by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and European Union (EU)
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the creative industry, civil society, academia, and traditional authorities to discuss the new draft cultural policy developed by a 21-member Cultural Policy Review Committee.
Mr Mark Okraku Mantey, Deputy Minister, MoTAC said the review process was crucial explaining that ‘it reflects our desire to ensure that the policy remains relevant and effective in addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities.’
‘The contents of this Culture Policy that we are validating today will guide us in nurturing our arts, supporting our creative industries and ensuring that our cultural practices are both celebrated and protected for future gen
erations,’ he added.
Mr Mantey echoed the need to teach our culture to our children so they would not be ignorant about it, saying ‘it has a profound impact on our identity, our unity and our national development.’
He said, it was the Ministry’s duty to help safeguard and celebrate Ghana’s culture, ensuring that it remains vibrant and relevant for generations yet to come, adding that there was the need to also assess, adapt and enhance the cultural policy to align with the dynamic and evolving needs of society.
The Deputy Minister said in a world marked by diversity, Ghana’s cultural policies must be a vehicle for inclusivity, respecting and celebrating the richness of its differences.
He said as a people, we must leverage culture as a gap that connects the various strands of society, fostering understanding and harmony, and weave a cultural tapestry that reflects the aspirations and diversity of the Ghanaian. ‘This will be a testament to our shared heritage and our collective journey toward a brighter fu
ture.’
Mr Edward Moukala, Representative of UNESCO to Ghana said UNESCO and the UN’s collaboration with Ghana in promoting the creative industry was not a fleeting commitment but a deeply integrated collaboration that celebrates and reinforces the very fabric of Ghana’s cultural landscape.
He added that the cultural sector contributed 3.1 percent to the total GDP adding that ‘we are proud to support the review of the culture policy to ensure that Ghana can holistically protect its culture and promote its creativity.
Mr Moukala encouraged stakeholders to consider how the policy could protect Ghana’s intangible cultural heritage, from traditions like earthenware pottery-making to living cultural expressions like the Adinkra, Ga, and Ewe symbols.
According to him, UNESCO stands ready to continue supporting Ghana’s efforts. ‘By revising Ghana’s cultural policy in line with international standards and Ghana’s development needs, we can protect creativity, promote cultural diversity and opportunities, and ensure
that culture remains at the heart of Ghana’s future prosperity.’
Mr Kwasi Gyan Apenteng, Chairman of the Review Committee presented the reviewed policy and solicited for inputs from stakeholders.
He said the policy when completed would serve as a blueprint to promote Ghanaian culture and national development.
According to him, after the validation, the committee would take all the amendments and do a final draft which would go to the Minister, after which the Minister presents it to government saying ‘it is at that point that it will fully become a policy.’
‘We hope that this policy will lead to the mainstreaming of culture across the entire spectrum of government and society for everybody to understand what our culture is, and its importance.
And we hope that it will go especially into education so that young people growing up will understand the dynamics of our culture.’
It will also explain our history, languages, food, among others.’
Source: Ghana News Agency