Opinions of Friday, 8 May 2020

Columnist: Paa Kwesi Sampson

Advent of COVID-19

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Should Regional Centres, MMDCO'S liaise/engage with institutions such as the NCCE, ISD, EC, MOH, GHS, GES and other stakeholders I'm optimistic that through drama and puppetry the culture and creative arts industry will always be recognized as an integral part of societal advancement.

"Little drops of water make a mighty ocean", they say.. with limited resources which has been the norm in most public and civil service nationwide, a more holistic approach, and collaboration of stakeholders, in my opinion, is key.

For instance, in the case of the Central Region, there's a fair idea what budget could cater for production be it drama, puppetry or the performing arts, examples being advocacy for cleanliness in support of the Regional Minister's drive to make our towns and villages clean through Puppetry targeting clusters of schools in the Cape Coast South area, and through Drama in some communities in the Cape Coast North metropolis.

With such budget guidelines, the cost element could be shared amongst stakeholders in a massive education drive be it pre and post COVID-19, other infectious diseases, electioneering year, education on sanitation and other important societal topical issues among others.

Views, suggestions and opinion are invited to fine-tune this discuss, taking Ghana's Cultural Policy into much perspective!