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
For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
