Vacation classes for creative skills is necessary - Togbe

Togbe Koku Dzaga XI, Paramount Chief of the Klefe Traditional area has called for regular creative skills vacation classes for pupils in the country.

He said Science, Mathematics and Information Communication Technology classes were good but training in creative skills could make a valuable impact on the children.

Togbe Dzaga said this in a speech read on his behalf at the first ever Creative Skills Vacation Workshop, organised by the Volta Region Directorate of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) for pupils in Klefe, near Ho.

He said most developed economies attained that status because of the priority they gave to skills training, adding that, it is time Ghana did the same to enable young people to develop interest in acquiring vocational skills.

Togbe Dzaga said the country was gradually running out of skilled workers and expressed the hope that organising such regular creative skills vacation classes could help address the situation.

He commended Madam Dzifa Gomashie, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, for initiating the training and urged that it is sustained and expanded to other parts of the country.

Mr Emmanuel Quao, Volta Regional Director of CNC, said the two-weeks classes was to keep the children occupied and equipped with skills in bead making, basket and door mat weaving, traditional Jewellery making, drumming and dancing, painting and drawing among others.

He said in a fortnight, the children could discover their talents and develop their potentials in the various forms of creative arts.

Mr Quao commended the Klefe traditional area for accepting the concept, adding that, the country needed such interventions for children to appreciate the Ghanaian culture.

“Children are the bridge between now and the future and they need proper training like this for a better future. There is nothing wrong about learning our culture,” he stated.

The children, trainers and some observers danced to traditional music and flute performances at the opening session.