Features
On Visual Arts education
I recently read a news item about visual arts education in Ghana that said a cross-section of visual arts students in the Ashanti Region welcomed the introduction of a pre-engineering programme as an opportunity to express their creative skills.
The story further said that to the students, the programme offers a unique opportunity to correct the erroneous impression that Visual Arts is meant for those who are academically weak.
This piece of information left me considering what Visual Arts education is like, at least, in Finland, if not other European countries.
The Visual Arts education in Finland
In Finland, there are around 40 universities, including 10 major and multidisciplinary ones like the University of Helsinki.
From this number, there are four specialised universities, including the Hanken School of Economics and the University of the Arts, Helsinki (Uniarts).
This University of the Arts, Helsinki, is the most known that is devoted to visual arts education. According to information on its website, the University of the Arts, Helsinki, provides the highest level of education in music, fine arts, theatre and dance in Finland.
It is an international forerunner in education and research in the field of arts, and strengthens the role of art as a force that reforms society. Established in 2013, Uniarts Helsinki consists of the Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy and Theatre Academy (see, https://www.uniarts.fi/en/).
Study programmes
The University of Arts, Helsinki offers degree and other areas of study. Students can study programmes such as printmaking, painting, sculpture, moving image, and photography.
For example, the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts offers education in sculpture, the moving image, painting, contextual art, graphics arts and photography.
The Sibelius Academy, named after the world famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, is a school for music. At the Sibelius Academy, students can study church music, classical music performance, etc. The Theatre Academy is devoted to studies in theatre performances such as acting, directing and dramaturgy.
The university offers the bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programmes and non-degree studies. It has become quite international.
Learning from Finland
Why am I writing about all this? The answer is simple. I simply admire Finland’s emphasis on fine arts or visual arts education, which also indicates that there is a move away from too much emphasis on theoretical subjects to the neglect of the practical ones.
I think we can learn from the Finnish model and establish at least a university like the University of the Arts, Helsinki, with Academies such as a music academy, if this is not already thought about.
I think this can easily be done, bringing together some institutions to form such a university in Ghana. I will even suggest that such an academy of music can be named after our own late famous composer Ephraim Amu, just as Finland has a music academy named after their own Jean Sibelius. (Here, I am also thinking about the internationalisation advantage).
The National Academy of Music (NAM) at Winneba may have become part of the larger University of Education, Winneba. But, I think there are other such institutions that can easily be turned into the University of the Arts following the Finnish model.
I think there are also theatre institutions which can easily be turned into an academy as part of a university of the arts in Ghana. Thank you!
In every society, there are people who do things their own way, regardless of what others think. Take the man who, by good fortune, acquired a beautiful Benz bus. Rather than becoming a bossy transport owner demanding daily accounts, he chose a different path. He hired a driver—but no driver’s mate. He became the mate himself. The bold inscription on the back of the bus reads: “MAN NO FOOL.”
He’s no fool, having long observed how drivers and mates conspire with daily accounts. He’s far above such tricks.
Domestic Pragmatism
Then there’s the married man enforcing his own version of the division of labor. One morning, he decreed he would handle all daily market shopping because he suspected his wife was “tearing chobo.” Earlier, he had claimed the kitchen ladle as his own, citing dissatisfaction with the portion sizes compared to his “chop-money” contributions.
From that day, he became the chief cook, while his wife became the steward. When the soup was ready, she would call him to allocate the meat. He called it “domestic pragmatism.”
The Dancing Kiosk
Consider a couple who ran a kiosk and, to protect their goods from theft, chose to sleep there each night. Last week, during heavy rains, they were asleep when the downpour started. Both began dreaming they were dancing at a jamboree—an uncanny simultaneous dream.
When they awoke, reality hit: their kiosk was afloat, doing a Michael Jackson-style dance in the floodwaters. They were lucky to survive. Others were not so fortunate.
That Tuesday, 24 residents of Accra lost their lives in the heaviest rains in 59 years. Property was destroyed, animals drowned, and the city experienced its worst traffic jams ever.
Floods and “Neck Insurance”
During the rains, waist-deep waters forced residents to become human transport, carrying others for a fee. I was spared, though I imagined my weight would have made “neck insurance” a must!
The aftermath left offices soaked, radios swimming on carpets, and workers struggling to salvage belongings. My office radio survived after drying, perhaps imbued with some holy-ghost luck—it seemed to walk on water.
A Call for Action
Mr. Nat Nunoo-Amarteifio, AMA boss, later appeared on the air to explain the floods, citing rising sea and lagoon levels. While informative, action is key. Years of warnings by veteran journalist Tom Dorkenoo—a man of prophetic environmental insight—have highlighted Accra’s vulnerability to floods. Two years ago, he outlined the risks, and the warnings proved accurate.
It is not enough for authorities to merely announce intentions to address drainage issues or unauthorized buildings. They must act decisively to prevent recurring disasters. Floods, property losses, and fatalities are preventable with proactive planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
The Lesson
The saga of the dancing kiosk reminds us of human resilience, absurdity, and tragedy. While humor can lighten the story, the underlying message is serious: Accra’s flood challenges require urgent, sustained action.
Let us hope future rainy seasons bring fewer dancing kiosks and more effective city planning.
By Merari Alomele
Spectator
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Starvation is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including food availability, economic stability, and government policies. Understanding the mathematics of starvation involves analyzing calorie requirements, food distribution, and nutritional needs to ensure individuals receive sufficient sustenance for survival and health.
Calculating Nutritional Needs
To understand the scale of starvation, it is crucial to determine the daily caloric requirements of individuals based on age, sex, weight, and activity levels. For example, populations like that of the Gaza Strip require a specific number of calories per person per day to prevent malnutrition and starvation.
Food Distribution and Availability
Equally important is assessing food distribution and availability. This includes calculating the total food needed to meet nutritional requirements and ensuring it reaches those in need. In Gaza, Israel controls food inflow and determines the number of calories Palestinians require. However, the actual amount of food allowed into the territory often falls far below minimum nutritional needs.
Consequences of Inadequate Food Supply
Inadequate food supply leads to severe consequences such as malnutrition, starvation, and death. For instance, between March and June, Israel allowed only 56,000 tonnes of food into Gaza—less than a quarter of the territory’s minimum needs during that period.
Global Perspective
Starvation is not unique to Gaza. Millions worldwide face food insecurity due to conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Understanding the mathematics of starvation enables policymakers and humanitarian organizations to devise strategies that target the root causes of hunger effectively.
Key Factors Contributing to Starvation
- Poverty: Lack of resources limits access to sufficient food.
- Conflict: Wars disrupt food production and distribution networks.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather reduces agricultural yields.
- Economic Instability: Market fluctuations hinder access to food.
Addressing Starvation
Combating starvation requires addressing its underlying causes:
- Food Aid: Provide sufficient, targeted food assistance to those in need.
- Economic Support: Promote economic stability to improve access to food.
- Conflict Resolution: Resolve conflicts to restore production and distribution networks.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adopt sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security.
In conclusion, the mathematics of starvation underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to food insecurity. By understanding nutritional needs, calculating food distribution, and tackling the root causes, societies can work towards a future where hunger is no longer a daily threat.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPON
Spectator
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