Strategic harnessing of the industrial arts and design capacities of Ghanaians, could be a game-changer in tackling the vexed issue of unemployment in the country, John Lodonu, an Industrial Arts Lecturer at the Ho-Polytechnic, has observed.

He spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the official launch of the Ho Polytechnic Faculty of Art and Design-Industrial Arts Department, Higher National Diploma, (HND) 3, End of Year Exhibition.

The exhibition, featuring original works of the pioneering students of the Polytechnic in the areas of textiles, sculpture, graphic design, ceramics and painting, was dubbed: “The Genesis.” Mr. Lodonu observed that, bit and pieces of materials in the environment, such as woods, stones, straws, bamboos, oyster shells, clay and fabric among others, could be transformed into breath-holding products.

He called for education on the importance of visual arts as a subject in schools, to pull in the many talents students are ignorant about as livelihood prospects.

Mr. Paul Sallah, Lecturer, Faculty of Arts, Ho Polytechnic, said artistic materials besides their economic values, represent the memoirs, culture and aspirations and perhaps the spirit of a people.

Dr. Noble Dzegbor, Dean of the Faculty, said the faculty could raise the Internally Generated Fund (IGF) capacity of the polytechnic considerably, if provided with a production unit. Professor Emmanuel Kojo Sakyi, Rector of the Polytechnic after going round the stands, said time was up to “do everything” to provide the needs of the Industrial Arts Department.

He said output within 18 months, “in an environment of scarcity of resources, was gratifying and prospects as I can see, are very good, with some products of high market value.”

Exhibits drawing a lot of attention included a Screen Developing Table, Manual Press, for clay work, Monthly Bindings of Newspapers and busts among others.

The “Genesis,” which would be open for two weeks, is expected to attract organised student groups and business people.