Kumasi, Aug. 4, GNA - An Art and Craft Exhibition to showcase art works in the Ashanti Region opened in Kumasi on Tuesday. The month-long event is being organised by the Centre for National Culture (CNC) to expose to the public, the talents and potentials of young artists and to create market for their products. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nana Afrane Okesse IV, Omanhene of the Ejisu Traditional Area, noted that the arts, especially sculptures and paintings could be sold to earn more foreign exchange. He said what artists needed now was support and encouragement and called on the Ministry of Tourism to collaborate with corporate bodies to organize training programmes for local artists to improve their knowledge and skills.

Nana Okesse IV said by so doing they would adopt best practices in their work to add value to their products and advised the artists to form partnerships so that they could benefit from loans to expand their businesses.

Mr Samuel Adjei, Ashanti Regional Director of the CNC, said the exhibition formed part of a number of activities lined up by the Centre to promote the development of art and craft and to offer market to artists in the Region to sell their products.