Association appeals for social amenities at WR Craft Village

The Western Regional Association of Wood Carvers and Cane Weavers has called on agencies and state institutions to help provide social amenities at the Regional Craft Village at Sekondi.

The Craft Village, which is part of the Regional Cultural Centre, is yet to be developed to house the over 200 wood carvers and cane weavers scattered all over the metropolis and beyond.

Mr. Ray Agbo, Regional Secretary of the Association, who made the call at a stakeholder workshop sponsored by the BUSAC Fund, said although portions of the land around the Cultural Centre was allocated for the project in 2008, little had been done to develop the craft village.

He said the craft village currently lacks amenities such as water, electricity, canteen and places of convenience.

Mr. Agbo said wood carvers and cane weavers are not able to win contracts from individuals and companies because they are operating at different locations due to lack of trust, and this was affecting their businesses.

He added that,“We are unable to meet our targets and exporters do not have trust in us because we do not have a permanent place of work”.

Mr. Vincent Annan, a resource person, said developers were encroaching on the lands of the Regional Cultural Centre and called on the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to, as a matter of urgency, assist to arrest the situation.

Mr. Stephen Sedofo, Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, attributed most developmental challenges to outmoded cultural practices and, therefore, urged members of the Association to use their medium of communication to influence behavioural change.