Ho, May 26, GNA - The National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) is to be given development oriented direction with emphasis on job creation and skills training opportunities. Mr. Alexander Asum-Ahensah, Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture, who announced this, explained that such a measure could help the country to harness its vast economic endowment to curb unemployment. He was speaking at the Volta Regional Festival of Arts and Culture organised under the auspices of the Centre for National Culture (CNC), in Ho on Tuesday.

It was aimed at choosing a regional representation for the national event to be held in November this year. Mr. Asum-Ahensah said that even though NAFAC would remain a medium for showcasing the country's rich culture diversity, its economic potentials would be exploited to offer jobs for the unemployed. He said Government was commitment to creating jobs for the country's youth and currently, the Ministry was finalizing proposals on job creation opportunities within the cultural sector. "It is the commitment of this Government to actively involve the youth in building a better Ghana by creating the requisite environment and empowering them to realize their potentials," Mr. Asum-Ahensah said. He appealed to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to support Centres for National Culture in their jurisdictions to use arts and culture to create jobs. Colonel Cyril Necku (Rtd), Deputy Volta Regional Minister, said culture had the potential to reduce poverty and asked stakeholders in that sector to exploit its economic potentials, especially tourism to the benefit of the people.

He asked participants to exhibit the rich culture of the region to enable them to win the ultimate prize at the national competition. Mr. William Addo, Volta Regional Director of CNC, commended the various assemblies for sponsoring their districts to take part in the festival. He was optimistic that the Ho Craft Market that was under construction would create jobs for the youth, serve as market for products of artisans and enhance tourism, if completed.

Mr. Jude Kubiti, Programmes Director of CNC, appealed to Government to complete work on the Regional Theatre for the CNC, started about 20 years ago, to offer employment for the youth with talents in performing arts. The Regional Festival, which coincided with the African Union Day celebration, saw the exhibition of works on Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President, and cultural objects from the participating districts.