Regional News of Thursday, 26 February 2015

Source: GNA

Artists call for establishment of Culture Trust Fund

Stakeholders in the creative arts industry have called for the establishment of a Culture Trust Fund as indicated in the Ghana Cultural Policy.

They said one key component of the policy was to establish a Culture Trust Fund where all funding to the creative arts would be channeled for development of the industry.

Madam Akwele Suma Glory, the President of the Women’s Arts Institute, Africa, addressing participants on; Financing the Creative Arts, said the policy was formulated to give the needed direction of growth of the industry in Ghana.

She said that artistic creations in Ghana, more than elsewhere, drew inspiration from the daily realities of life, adding that, “this involvement entails organising our environment in such a way that it is pleasant and comfortable for our reflective self in the quest to make life better”.

Madam Glory gave an assurance that the institute was committed to providing opportunities for women artists to support Ghana’s development.

Madam Akofa Edjeani, a facilitator at the meeting, urged the institute to mobilise support to develop the creative arts industry in Ghana and asked the Government to expedite action on the fund to bring to light the much needed help.

Madam Ruhiya Issah, a researcher on creative financing, assured the participants that a committee would be formed to complete all the reviews in the policy to submit it to the Government for action.

Madam Marigold Akuffo-Addo, a multi-media artist, who chaired the function, called on the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to invest in Ghana’s development by promoting the arts in basic schools.

Participants at the meeting were drawn from the Ghana Association of Visual Artists, Ghana Culture Forum, Global Network of Artists and Craft, Women in Performing Arts, Foundation for Female Photo Journalists, Eddiphics Designs, Ruth Art and Harmony Centre.