Accra Nov. 24, GNA - Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City on Thursday announced plans by his Ministry to promote and support African arts and culture abroad.
He said there is the need for African handicrafts to be sold at valuable prices, earning artists greater market share outside the country.
Mr Asamoah-Boateng,who speaking at the launch of the African Arts and Culture Development (AACD) African Market Exhibition 2005, said artisans and artists need to make themselves visible in the world of trade in a bid to promote Africa, especially Ghana abroad.
The exhibition opens from December 7 to 17 and proceeds would be used to help the needy in society, especially orphanages He urged African Arts and Culture Development Company, organizers of the exhibition to endeavour to bring together all artists to make them better recognized.
Mr Fred Lawson, a Consultant, who chaired the function noted that arts and culture formed an integral part of the African and said arts products from some parts of the country continue to remain a source of intrigue to most people
He commended AACD African Market for their efforts in promoting arts and culture hence creating jobs for the youth, who otherwise would have been found loitering on the streets.
Mr Alex Bedene, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of African Market, said the only way to improve Ghana's economy was to patronize goods made in our country by our indigenous people, adding that the AACD African Market was working hard to improve the lot of our local artisans.
He said: "The art and craft industry is one that has always been with us as Africans. In spite of this, the industry have been neglected over the years with very little attention being paid to its development".
Mr Bedene said the exhibition was being organized to generate revenue for suppliers and exhibitors who live in the rural areas and would not have had access to the kind of clientele for the African Market exhibition.
