The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo is calling on corporate entities to support the arts industry. The first lady made the call when she launched the first Melcom Arts Exhibition in Accra.
Mrs Akufo-Addo believes the move will motivate budding artists and help grow the arts industry which has generated revenue for some economies in the world including Italy.
“Art gives nations very distinct identities. It also has great economic value both for the artist and those who buy their works. In our part of the world we fail to see the economic value. I wish to use this occasion to appeal to other corporate bodies to support our artists. I believe that sometime a piece of artwork can sell a country in ways that are simply unimaginable,” she said.
She congratulated artists for maintaining originality in their work and urged them to impart their knowledge and skills to the youth.
Also speaking at the event, Corporate Affairs manager of Melcom Group of Companies, Godwin Avenorgbor, questioned why art receives little attention in the country.
“Many years ago, one could walk to a departmental store to admire a piece of art painting, photography, and sculpture. There were regular art exhibitions at the centers of Arts and Culture that attracted large public attendances”
According to him the Melcom Arts Exhibition is a process that will offer opportunities to budding artists to create works that can sell Ghana both locally and internationally.
They hope to use their platform to showcase the distinctive work of as many Ghanaian artists as possible.
Larry Otoo, a renowned Ghanaian artist, whose work has been exhibited internationally in places such as Toronto, London, Lagos, Newcastle and Abidjan, is currently showcasing his work at the maiden edition of the Melcom arts exhibition.
Young artists, whose work will also be exhibited include Nana Kwasi Agyare Ansah, Seth Alipo, Esther Khaki Ceasar, Daniel Ametpe Kukubor, Ayi Mensah, Osei Bonsu, Isshaq Ismail, Odei Nyamkye and Maxwell Boadi.
By Nana Oye Ankrah
