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Creative arts inspire God-given talents – UEW Pro-VC
● Some dignitaries after the event
It is necessary for the country to give critical attention to the creative arts sector due to its important role in national transformation and development, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, (UEW), has said.
“If we want the country to grow, we must pay attention to the creative arts industry. It creates and reveals inner mind and joy,” he stressed.
He again said: “Creative arts inspire people to unearth their God-given talents and it is beneficial to the community.”
Prof Ofori-Birikorang said these at the opening of the Creative Arts Conference organised by the School of Creative Arts (SCA), in collaboration with the Centre for Research, Culture, and Creative Arts, University of Education, Winneba (UEW) last Friday.
The conference was on the theme: “Re-developing Creative Arts Education Policy and Research for Sustainable Industrial Development.”
It offered an opportunity for participants to deliberate on how to strengthen the promotion of arts education in Ghana.
Prof Ofori-Birikorang stated that the School of Creative Arts Education existed to train competent professional teachers for all levels of education as well as conduct research, disseminate knowledge and contribute to educational policy and development.
“If we want to brand this university, we must pay attention to the School of Creative Arts. The creative arts industry inspires us to do things, and it is only through this inspiration that we get the energy of creativity,” he said.
In an address, the Dean of the SCA, Prof. PatriquedeGraft-Yankson, stated that recognition was currently being given to arts in Ghana through different interventions and training for a number of individuals across the country.
He commended President Akufo-Addo led administration for its support for the creative arts sector since it took power in 2017.
The Dean again praised the university for its commitment towards making the conference an annual event and said the school would be orgainising series of formal, informal and academic discussions among staff, peers and students.
According to Prof deGraft-Yankson, the formal and informal training attitudes and proficiencies needed to make the arts an important tool for defining and planning result-oriented human activities for quality living, were lacking.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the country to adopt a thoughtful and conscious involvement in the creative arts educational policies and research for progress.
The Director of Creative Arts Council, Ms. GyankromaAkufo-Addo, underscored the important role of arts education towards the skills of individuals such as critical thinking, and called for support in that regard.
She called on all the sundry to support and encourage children who demonstrate interest in the arts to pursue their passion and unearth their talents.
From David O. Yarboi-Tetteh, Winneba
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
