Mainstreaming culture in national development through activities that work to move culture from the peripheral to the centre, advancing socio-economic development, has been the perennial focus of the Ghana Culture Forum (GCF), a civil society consultative forum whose membership is based on a network of cultural practitioners, activists and organisations all united around a common vision of affirming the cultural foundations of development and enhancing the cultural sector.
Serving as an umbrella body for all practitioners and stakeholders in the culture and arts space, the GCF holds a major forum in the heritage month of March each year, on the 14th, to bring focus on pressing cultural discourse.
This year, as we usher in the fresh ‘Golden Age of Culture’, a symposium on the theme ‘Our Culture, Our Strength: Shaping Ghana for Global Impact’ takes centre-stage and aims to provide alternative practical solutions for developing Ghana’s cultural and creative ecosystem.
PaJohn Dadson takes a look at how far the forum has come and how it fits within government’s bold Black Star Experience agenda.
Ghana’s rich tapestry of music, dance and storytelling is under threat, believes the Ghana Culture Forum (GCF). Within the same context, however, the forum appreciates that “time-worn traditions fade, silenced by the echoes of progress”. But, “weaving a brighter future, thread by thread”, is what it has set itself to do since its inception in 2011.
That year, responding to a proposal initiated at the UNESCO-led consultative forum on the ‘Power of Culture in Development’ held at the erstwhile African Royal Beach Hotel, Nungua – Accra, it became clear that the time was long past for a civil society advocacy forum on cultural heritage to be formed to pursue and intervene on issues related to the domain and its place in overall national development policies.
Sixteen pioneers then started working together to establish GCF as the advocacy platform for culture and development action, initially under the name Ghana Heritage Forum.
Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy and Akunu Dake served as co-conveners for the interim leadership till March 2019, even after it was formally launched on March 14, 2012. Substantive leadership emerged after elections during the 2nd National Delegates Conference.
Having explored a wide range of themes over the years, the forum chose this year’s on the premise of the historic 2024 electoral process that led to the change of government, providing yet again industry-based recommendations for its ‘Resetting Agenda’.
The symposium is the key highlight of the Ghana Culture Week celebration and serves as the official opening ceremony. The first session of the ceremony will have budding multi-disciplinary artist, curator, cultural researcher and academic, Sela Adjei (PhD) – lecturer at UniMac’s Institute of Film and Television deliver the keynote presentation that will interrogate the theme, setting the tone for the discussions in the second session.
As key players in the cultural sector, the Ghana Culture Forum has often used its platform to champion many laudable initiatives proposed by governments. Welcoming the Black Star Experience Initiative, the Forum wishes to dialogue with government about how it could lend its support.
The theme, underscoring the essential role of culture as a driver of sustainable development and a catalyst for global competitiveness, is a reminder and call to action for government and all stakeholders to place culture at the heart of the nation’s resetting agenda.
In the culture space, government’s bold Black Star Experience agenda, as has been spelt out by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie, is a vision that seeks to position Ghana as the epicentre of Pan-African heritage and cultural renaissance, with a historical reconnection for the African diaspora.
It is a vision that “builds upon the success of past initiatives like the Year of Return and Beyond the Return, which have not only welcomed thousands of visitors but have also cemented Ghana’s place as the Gateway to Africa”.
Believing Ghana can harness its cultural strengths not just for national development but for making a mark on the world stage, aligning with the government’s vision of a reset leading to prosperity, the key questions to be explored at the symposium will include how Ghana’s cultural heritage can be strategically harnessed to drive socio-economic development and contribute to national prosperity. It will also look at ways culture can strengthen national identity and unity during Ghana’s
transformation journey.
The Black Star Experience promises a ‘golden age of culture’, designed to advance the country’s vibrant traditions and warm hospitality, in a manner that positions Ghana as a premier destination for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
This year’s symposium wants certain questions answered, or at the very least, brought to the fore for dissecting. For instance, on the global stage, it will seek to find how effectively Ghana can position its cultural heritage and creative industries to enhance its visibility and influence, as it explores policies, frameworks and collaborations needed to preserve the country’s cultural legacy while innovating for modern relevance.
It will also focus on how cultural education and awareness can empower communities and individuals to actively participate in shaping Ghana’s future.
Spotlighting the diversity of cultural expressions, as well as providing a platform for networking between cultural practitioners and consumers of cultural goods and services has always been the driving objective for keeping the momentum going, and the symposium will be so guided as to make the discussions and initiatives ensure that Ghana’s rich cultural heritage becomes a cornerstone for shaping a globally impactful and prosperous nation.
The GCF is partnering the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to organise a Stakeholder Dialogue Forum, and today’s symposium is a precursor to the pending National Stakeholder Forum on the ‘Resetting Ghana’s Culture and Creative Ecosystem’, which among others will be discussing issues such as Empowering and capacity building for institutions/organisations of culture – including art, associations and guilds in the civil society space; Affirming cultural identity and heritage; Ensuring popular participation in culture: women, youth, students, the physically challenged, traditional communities, social organisations and networks; Systematising and structuring government and civil society partnership in the cultural and creative sector; Promoting domestic tourism and the culture of travel – to enhance knowledge about each other so as to bridge the seemingly cultural distances between our people.
It will also look at Culture and the education system: pedagogy – content, form, curriculum; Funding of the culture and creative sector; and Enhancing international cultural co-operation.
Categorising its members into 10 main domains or groupings within the Ghanaian cultural space, namely: Audio-Visual; Auxiliary Arts; Computer & Information Technology; Culinary Arts; Dance; Drama; Fashion Industry; Literary Arts; Music and Visual Arts: – every GCF – organisation and individual – belongs to a domain.
As part of its core mandate, the forum regularly carries out some facilitation of members’ programmes and projects as required, providing the platform for publicising these respective activities and generating the necessary patronage.
In the last couple of years, the Ghana Culture Forum has been recognised as a mediator by both governmental agencies (such as the Copyright Office and the Attorney-General’s Office) and domain organisations. Members of the Forum have, therefore, on request, been formed into panels to mediate disputes or to engage in fact-finding exercises. This is helping to bring some sanity into the space.
The exciting part of Ghana Culture Day activities by the GCF, by far, is the Emporium. Usually a carnival of a marketplace displaying a variety of items by vendors mostly made up of local artisans and craftspeople, this year’s event will be no different and will focus on Ghana’s cuisine at a grand celebration of the diverse culinary landscapes of the country dubbed ‘Taste 68@68′!
All roads lead to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra this morning, where lead organisers of ‘Taste 68@68′ – a food festival, the Ghana Tourism Authority, will officially launch it. With an array of food stalls featuring dishes from the various regions, Taste 68@68 is part of ongoing efforts to promote and position Ghana as a prime food tourism destination, and will highlight the nation’s rich diversity of agricultural produce, opening up business opportunities for food entrepreneurs from across the globe.
Spreading sixty-eight traditional and contemporary Ghanaian dishes, the event will be a vibrant day long carnival with loads of entertainment’ including a stage for live musical performances, as well as cultural exhibitions all over the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
A big highlight, not to be missed, will be the Celebrity Cooking Challenge which will be an epic competition featuring Uncle Ato, Victoria Lebene, Mr. Beautiful, Joyce Blessings & Okyeame Kwame – who will all be battling it out for top prizes!
An integral part of the government’s bold new Black Star Experience initiative, the day promises to be an unforgettable experience with networking opportunities as fellow stakeholders, chefs and food enthusiasts mingle. One gets to savour a wide variety of traditional and modern dishes with new flavours and delights, starting off with breakfast offerings from 8am.
Through the Black Star Experience, the GTA aims to share the essence of Ghana with the world, exposing the country’s unique blend of traditional and modern attractions, from the historic forts and castles to the lively markets and festivals.
The food festival, with its diverse array of traditional dishes and local cuisine, will offer a flavourful journey through Ghana’s culinary landscape. By promoting Ghanaian cuisine, music, art and culture, GTA aims to create a lasting impression on visitors and inspire a deeper appreciation for the country’s rich cultural and historical
heritage.
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The Black Star Experience promises a ‘golden age of culture’ designed to advance the country’s vibrant traditions and warm hospitality in a manner that positions Ghana as a premier destination for tourism, business and cultural exchange.
Specifically, the Black Star Experience will introduce the following focused monthly jamborees.
- Pan African Month dedicated to celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Africa, fostering unity and collaboration among African nations.
- Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month with an event to showcase and honour the achievements of Ghanaian filmmakers and the broader film industry.
- Ghanaian Heritage and History Month as a period to reflect on and celebrate Ghana’s storied past and cultural legacy.
- Fashion and Food Month focusing on initiatives to highlight and promote Ghanaian fashion and cuisine, displaying the country’s creative talents.
- Diasporan Month to recognise and engage with the Ghanaian diaspora, encouraging their participation in national development and cultural exchange.
