By Jennifer Frimpong Wiredu
The Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture, Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong has advocated a national strategy that will promote and sustain the interest of Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to respect, appreciate, cherish, and see the country’s culture as a key step towards addressing critical issues.
He contended that Ghana’s values and cultural heritage must not be sacrificed on the altar, stressing that they have proved to be critical and successful ingredients in meditation and other efforts toward development. “As a country, one must note that we are not living in isolation. We are part of a global community, therefore, anything that happens elsewhere affects us directly or indirectly as a people. In fact, we cannot be less concerned about the happenings around us which we believe have potentially damaging consequences on the enviable peace and unity we enjoy”.
Speaking at the opening of the National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFAC, 2024, at Techiman in the Bono East Region, Nana Owoahene Acheampong said the NAFAC celebration is indeed one such strategy to imbibe the sense of unity and promote Ghanian culture to both the citizenry and the diasporans.
This year’s theme was “Beyond NAFAC at 60 – Harnessing Culture, the Pivot for Ghana’s Democracy and Sustainable Development”.
Nana Acheampong indicated that the theme is significant, as it is “expected to lead the country to have a conversation on the significant role of its culture and heritage in shaping the country’s governance and democracy as well as enhancing the attainment of sustainable national growth.
“It is an undeniable fact that our culture holds the potential to empower us in achieving sustainable development in all facets of our lives”.
The President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, and Paramount Chief of Bassa Traditional Area Nana Owusu Sakyi thanked the government and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for honoring them with such a historic event which will expose their cultural heritage to the world, while promoting tourism.
“Arts and Culture identifies us as a group or nation, which helps us to understand the world around us. As we are, Arts are part of the culture and therefore urge the government and Nananom to uphold our culture with all the seriousness it deserves.”
Nana Owusu Sakyi further observed that Ghana can generate more revenue to develop the country from Arts and Culture by investing more in the sector.
According to him, industry players also have the responsibility of promoting and drawing attention to this potential, some of which are not fully tapped.
NAFAC is a biennial festival organised by the National Commission on Culture (NCC) to highlight Ghana’s cultural heritage through showcasing of the diversity of Ghana’s cultural expressions, provide platform for stakeholder engagement on cultural issues and offer market opportunities for cultural and other enterprise.
The festival was initiated in 1961 by Dr. A. A. Y. Kyerematen, the first Director of the Kumasi Cultural Centre. NAFDAC became the biggest platform and cultural product used by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah to promote unity and national cohesion.
Since its inception, NAFAC has consistently played a pivotal role in job creation, revenue generation, entertainment, and product branding. Although the festival has evolved in structure and content.
