Aburi(ER), May 26, GNA - Government is constructing a GH¢ 400,000 Arts Village at Aburi in the Eastern Region in an effort to bring all artists in the vicinity under one roof for effective marketing of their produce. The village being sponsored by Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry would consist of 120 shops, three workshops, five offices, canteen, showroom and a meeting centre.

Briefing newsmen after an inspection of the village, Ms Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry said construction of the facility would not only make the marketing of arts products effective, but also enable the Ministry to easily identify them and organise programmes for them.

She urged Management of the Village to develop good communication strategy that with especially tourists and work hard to justify more government investment in their activities. Ms Tetteh expressed the hope that the Village would be completed within four months.

She noted that although construction of the Village was sponsored by EDIF it was being managed by Aburi Industrial Centre (AIC), an association made up of artists in Aburi and Aburi Traditional Council.

Nii Armatey Laryea, Board Chairman of Aburi Craft Village, noted that the AIC since its inception in 1989, had trained about 400 people in the arts and crafts industry.

He urged the members to work hard and raise more income for more shops to be constructed for members in future.

Nii Laryea noted that each shop owner would be required to make an advance payment of GH¢ 242 for two years, which would include electricity and water bills.

The project which is about 70 per cent complete is left with some finishing and installation of equipment.

Ms Tetteh visited Nana Otoobour Djan Kwesi 11, Aburihene and Anafohene of Akuapem Traditional Area.

Nana Djan Kwesi expressed appreciation to government for the initiative and her visit to the Village.