Gov't to redesign National Festival of Arts and Culture

Government intends to redesign the National Festival of Arts and Culture [NAFAC] to boost economic development in the country. This according to the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Honourable Daniel A. Syme is expected to resurrect, promote and sustain national traditional and musical culture in the country.

NAFAC has been in existence for the past 30 years. The festival was instituted to promote arts and culture in the country. Hon. Syme said as part of the redesign programme, it is the intention of government to continue the promotion of Ghanaian culture of music and dance to encourage internal tourism.

Hon. Syme was speaking at the launching of the Frafra Musicians Association [FRAMA] Awards 2013 in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region.

FRAMA is a regional welfare society of the Musicians Union of Ghana [MUSIGA] which was formed in 2009 to seek the welfare of Frafra Musicians within MUSIGA.

Addressing the launching at the Bolgatanga Jubilee Park which was attended by Chiefs, Municipal Chief Executives, Assembly Members and over 3000 music lovers, Honorable Syme said government recognises the potentials of the creative industry to shape and reinforce Ghana’s economic Growth.

He said the emerging economy has become a leading component of economic growth, employment, trade and innovation, and social cohesion in many countries.

“To this end government is committed to implementing a Creative Industry Sector Medium Term Development Plan as envisaged in the Ghana Shared Growth Development Agenda to develop creative arts sector of the economy”, he added.

The FRAMA Awards which is being organized by RAM Media Concepts in collaboration with Radio Gurune 99.3 FM with support from MUSIGA and the Frafra Musicians Association is aimed at appreciating the roles played by Frafra musicians in promoting music from the northern part of Ghana. The award is under the theme “Promoting our indigenous music and culture”.

CEO/Managing Director of Radio Gurune 99.3 FM, Madam Lydia Ajono asked members of the association to be united in their quest to promote traditional music.

He said their genre of music sustains the original tradition and culture of the people of the Upper East region and therefore tasked them to be responsible and aim high in promoting their genre of music throughout Ghana and across the world.

The Chief Executive of RAM Media Concepts, Augustine Mark also encouraged members of FRAMA to seek professionalism in the production of their music.

He said their music depicts real tradition and culture and therefore must be promoted to become an exportable commodity to benefit mother Ghana.

According to him, series of activities have been lined up to create awareness for the awards. He noted that, the awards will be launched in five main regions of Ghana, namely Upper East Region, Bolgatanga, Ashanti Region, Kumasi, Greater Accra Region, Accra, Northern Region Tamale and Western Region, Takoradi.

He said with the launching of the awards in Bolga, the road is now set for Kumasi in December after which the next venue will be announced. Other activities lined up for the awards include blood donation exercises, fitness walk, visit to the paramount chiefs of the five selected regions and musical gala nights prior to the main event in May 2014.