A twenty-member Committee to review Ghana’s Cultural Policy of 2004 was inaugurated in Accra at the Central Hotel on 22nd August 2023. The initiative seeks to help redefine and reinforce Ghana’s cultural landscape, such that it can pave the way for a more prosperous and culturally vibrant Ghana. The effort also seeks to preserve and promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Mark Okraku, expressed his appreciation to be part of such a gathering. Culture according to him, is the heartbeat of any country, and the thread that weaves together the tapestry of our identity, our heritage and aspirations. It serves as a guiding light, shaping our collective journey towards a future that is rooted in our past and the ability to open endless opportunities.
Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey said the day marked a significant step in the journey of evaluating and enhancing our Culture Policy so we can align with the evolving needs of our dynamic society.
According to him, the Committee that will be doing the review, are individuals with exceptional expertise and passion, from academia, the arts, and cultural institutions. Their wisdom and insights will therefore be instrumental in ensuring that the Cultural Policy not only reflects the rich traditions but also embraces the potential for innovation and progress.
The Hon. Deputy Minister drew attention to the pace with which the world is changing and said technological advancements, shifts in societal values and the interconnectedness of global communities make it imperative for us to ensure that our Cultural Policy, is relevant and can be adapted by all. He said what is being developed must be inclusive, diverse, and sustainable. Since our cultural heritage belongs to all of us, it is the duty of all of us to safeguard it for future generations while allowing it to also evolve in response to changing times.
He, therefore, urged the Committee to engage in rigorous deliberations, foster open dialogues and think creatively and examine other successful cultural policies around the world. With this, he believed their recommendations will shape the foundations of our cultural landscape for years to come.
He assured the Committee of Government’s unwavering support for them and said Government was committed to providing the needed resources and creating the enabling environment that encourages innovation and excellence in the realm of culture and the arts.
He reminded members of the Committee of the need for the policy to reflect the collective aspirations of the people, and the need for it to reflect our shared values and act as a source of inspiration for generations to come. According to Hon. Okraku Mantey, it must be a beacon that will guide us towards a future of unity, creativity, and sustainable progress, and prayed that the efforts made in getting the policy developed be rewarded such that it would uplift, empower, and unite our nation, he opined.
Welcoming participants to the meeting, Ms Josephine Ohene-Osei, Director in charge of Arts and Culture at the Ministry traced the meeting to a call for proposals which UNESCO circulated. A team of four comprising Ms Josephine Ohene-Osei, Director in charge of Arts and Culture at the Ministry, Mr Divine Owusu Ansah, Deputy Director at the Arts & Culture Directorate, Mrs Solace Buame, Chief Accountant at the Ministry and Mr William Boateng, former Director at the Bureau of Ghana Languages were tasked under the supervision of the Chief Director, Mr John Yao Agbeko to come up with a proposal for submission to UNESCO for support to enable the ministry review the draft Culture Policy that has been developed.
She acknowledged the Ghana Tourism Development Project for earlier support received from them that helped in developing the draft policy document.
She acknowledged UNESCO for supporting the review of the draft policy document and said a team had been reconstituted to help do this. She extended her appreciation to Mr William Boateng, for his unflinching support to the review process.
The Country Director for UNESCO, Mr Abdourahman Diallo in his speech, said he recognised the role of all present in the cultural fraternity and the work done by the previous committee to see to it that there is a draft policy in place. He also extended his appreciation to the fraternity for ensuring that there is a draft policy in place.
According to Mr Diallo, the policy seeks to recognise the work of the creative industry taking into cognisance the role of technology in helping shape the creative industry.
He reiterated the readiness of ÙNESCO to support to make the work of the sector recognised. He said this is the first time that Ghana has entered a call for proposals and has indeed earned the support of UNESCO. The draft policy needs to be fine-tuned with the support of the committee that will be inaugurated. The policy should be able to bear on the culture and heritage of the country.
He also spoke about the successes Ghana has chalked in documenting Kente and Highlife Music as part of our folkloric material.
He also referred to Artificial Intelligence and how it has impacted the sector worldwide and that Ghana should use it to impact the sector and show that it is no longer what it used to be but portray the changes taking place in terrain in Ghana.
Mr Diallo said that the role of AI must reflect in the policy document that is being developed. He also expressed the hope that support from the EU will be made available to enable work to progress. According to him, the issue of governance must be tackled well to show the role of decentralised agencies in helping to fulfil the mandate of the sector. He said no policy is meaningful until there are dedicated procedures and finances to support the work that must be done.
The aim of UNESCO according to him, is to ensure that the policy being developed is comparable with others on the international scene.
Mr Gyan Apenteng, a Communications Media and Culture Consultant and a member of the Committee, referred to the meeting as a significant step in embarking on the journey, using expertise and passion.
According to him, the world around us is changing with technological advancement, and therefore technological cultural heritage belongs to every citizen. He expressed his appreciation to the Ministry for the trust reposed in the Committee. He said it is through culture that we can express our artistic expressions.
He said the Committee is made up of members who are very much exposed and would be able to help to support and recommend solutions to the challenges faced by the sector, particularly helping the youth to develop their entrepreneurship skills in the country. When done well, it would help to improve our reputation as a nation through our ability to showcase the rich Ghanaian cultural heritage.
He also extended his appreciation to UNESCO for their support.
Mr David Dontoh, a Professional actor and television host also added his voice by saying, the current review, is a process that they all must add their ideas to it to make the policy document solid. He also extended his appreciation to the country office of UNESCO for the support and to colleagues for finding time to be part of the process.
The twenty-member Committee comprises the following: Mr John Yao Agbeko, Mr Ahumah Bosco Ocansey, Prof. Kofi Agyekum, Prof. Esi Sutherland Addy, Prof. Kofi Anyidoho, Prof. Michael P. K. Okyenefo, Prof. Samuel Ntewusu, Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, Mr David Dontoh, Mr Chris Wetcher, Mr George Bosompim, Mr Edward Chonia, Mr Richarsdon Fio Commey, Mr Kingsley Ofosu-Ntiamoah, Nana Gyan Apenteng, Ms Josephine Ohene-Osei, Mr Geoffrey D. Tamakloe, Mr Divine Kwame Owusu-Ansah and Mrs Solace E.E. Buame.