News
Selasie Arde-Acquah wins 2020 Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art
Ghanaian Artist, Lois Selasie Arde-Acquah, took home the grand prize of $5,000 as she was named the overall winner at the 2020 Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art.
The award aimed at empowering the most talented artist from the West African sub-region received over one thousand competing art pieces and was contested by 266 artists.
Ms Arde-Acquah’s work stood out among 12 finalists at the award ceremony held last Thursday in Accra with Mr. Opoku Mensah, emerging First Runner up while Nigeria’s Chinwe Chigby was adjudged Second Runner up.
Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Founder of the Kuenyehia Trust for Contemporary Art, in his address, said the Trust continued to make a difference in spite of challenges.
He said artists who participated in previous contests recorded an increase in value for their works, indicating that the Trust would work to make the award the “most-sought after Art Prize” in Africa.
“There is not a single artist who has made it to our shortlist whose work has not seen an increase in value. Each of our artists is as good as the best anywhere in the world. Each of our artists has an upward trajectory and each of them is worth betting on,” he said.
While acknowledging the support received over the years, the founder urged individuals and corporate entities to patronise indigenous art, support talented artists and donate to the Trust.
“Each of our artists is talented but talent alone is not enough. The artists who get ahead are those who in addition to talent gain visibility and continue to develop their practices,” Mr. Kuenyehia added.
Prof. Edwin Kwesi Bojawah, Director of KNUST Museum, emphasised the role of art in national development and called on stakeholders to invest in the sector.
Mr. Ohenaba Kofi Owusu Bempah, a board member of the Trust, praised the winners for their unique work and was confident that the artists would keep on producing unique and impressive works.
Having been in the industry for the past five years, Ms. Arde-Acquah attributed her progress to hard work stating she would “devote time and resources to art practice in the years ahead.”
By Ernest Nutsugah
MR Samuel Yao Atidzah, the Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, has stated that HIV does not define a person, but “dignity, respect and love do.”
He reminded Ghanaians that no one should face discrimination because of his or her HIV status.
Mr Atidzah said this in a statement in Ho of the Volta Region to commemorate World Zero Discrimination Day.
The Day was initiated by UNAIDS in 2014 and celebrated annually on March 1 by the UN and other Organisations to promote equality, inclusion, and peace for everyone regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation.
It highlights the need to end discrimination laws and actions, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS stigma.
This year’s day is on the theme: ‘People first: Standing united for dignity, equality and inclusion.’
Mr Atidzah urged all to stand together to end stigma and discrimination and promote inclusion, support People Living with AIDS in their communities.
“We have often been quick in judging people just because he or she has contracted the HIV virus; we’re in a haste to brand them as people lacking dignity.”
“We must also not lose sight of the fact that it is not every patient that attract the disease from sexual inter-course. There are those that were born with it and those who were cut by affected by objects,” he explained.
He advised all to know their status through HIV Self-testing kits, adding “it is private, confidential, safe and empowering.”
The Executive Director urged both young and old that taking charge of their health was a sign of strength and not shame.
“I urge all and sundry to get tested now, know your status, protect yourself and protect others,” he noted. –GNA
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
THREE inter-related books chronicling the political history of Ghana’s Heads of State are set to be launched this month.
The books offers readers an in-depth account of the country’s constitutional and military leadership from independence to the Fourth Republic.
Authored by former Presidential Reporter of The Ghanaian Times, F. Baffour Opoku, the books explore the ideologies, leadership styles, achievements, challenges and international engagements of Ghana’s past leaders.
The first book, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s First, Second and Third Republics, examines the administrations of Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Kofi Abrefa Busia and Hilla Limann, highlighting key political and socio-economic developments during the First, Second and Third Republics.
The second publication, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, provides insight into leadership under the Fourth Republic, covering the era of Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The third book, Military Rule in Ghana between 1966 and 1993, documents significant political events during periods of military governance.
It discusses the leadership of Joseph Arthur Ankrah, first Chairman of the National Liberation Council (NLC); Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, second Chairman of the NLC; Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC) and later the Supreme Military Council (SMC); Frederick William Kwasi Akufo, Chairman of the reconstituted SMC; and Jerry John Rawlings, who led both the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
According to the author, the books provide detailed, one-stop information on the activities and governance records of each Head of State during their respective tenures.
In addition to political analysis, the books feature biographical accounts of the Heads of State, as well as colourful photo albums capturing significant national events during their tenure.
Mr Opoku notes that as Chief Executives of the nation, the leaders profiled in the books served with dedication and commitment, and their contributions to nation-building deserve recognition and documentation for present and future generations.
The launch is expected to attract political figures, academics, members of the media and the general public.
By Spectator Reporter
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
