Japan Provides ?3b To Rehabilitate National Theatre

The government has signed an agreement with the Japanese government for a cultural grant of about 3.1 billion cedis (about $370,491) to rehabilitate the National Theatre in Accra. The grant would be used to rehabilitate the sound and lighting systems of the theatre.

Mrs Kazuko Asai, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, who signed on behalf of her country, said the offer was in line with her government's commitment not only to give continued assistance to Ghana in her economic development but also to its cultural development and education. Mrs Asai praised Ghanaians for their love for their traditional music and dance and said her little experience at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon, had made her to believe that Ghana had sophisticated and advanced forms of culture.

Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Foreign Affairs Minister, who signed for Ghana expressed appreciation to the Japanese government for its continued support to Ghana, which recently benefited from the conversion of loans owed Japan into grants. He said the government recognised the importance of culture and was, therefore, committed to protect and develop it.

Professor George Hagan, Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, announced that preparations were underway to rehabilitate cultural facilities in the regions and districts to make cultural values meaningful and acceptable and called for assistance in that regard.