22/04/2026
So, I was invited to share a few thoughts on the “art must feed” conversation during the commemoration of World Art Day on April 15 @ Mamprobi Community Library. Let me share a few of my submissions on policy.
The day (which falls on Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday) was officially declared by UNESCO on April 15 2019 to annually highlight the role of art in promoting creativity and cultural diversity.
I believe that the celebration should always be contextualized to suit the interest and aspirations of the Ghanaian art community. Why should we be celebrating such a day today and still be mentioning famous foreign artists? What happened to great Ghanaian artists like Mrs. Theodosia Salome Okoh (the designer of the Ghana National Flag), Kofi Antubam (designer of the Seat of State, the Parliamentary Mace, the State Sword, etc.), Nii Amon Kotei (designer of the Ghana Coat of Arms), Ablode Glover and many others who have contributed to Ghanaian art from the 1990s to the present generation of contemporary and futuristic art? We can mention Betty Acquah, Padiki, Charity Derby Akeiti, Ibrahim Mahama, Kizito Nii Armah Amartey, and more.
Artists across the country, check the Cape Coast Castle, Accra Centre for National Culture’s Arts Market, check the Kumasi Centre for National Culture, check Tamale Centre for National Culture, Bolga, Wa, Sunyani, Winneba, Swedru, Aburi, Koforidua, and you will agree with me that we have a lot to celebrate.
I called on the Creative Arts Agency to, henceforth, help mark the day by celebrating Ghanaian artists.
I also proposed to the Ghana Association of Visual Artists to lead the way by initiating annual National Art Awards Scheme to honour Ghanaian artists.
We still have a lot to do with our formal education curriculum on the art. Where to start, teaching and learning materials, adequate trained teachers, and the right focus and investment.
We need a campaign to change the mindset of the young people and parents, and even some teachers and heads of schools about the economic viability of the art and their role in national development.
The young people should be responsible and take their destinies into their own hands. The choices they make about what career they want to pursue is crucial and they must invest time in acquiring knowledge about what they desire to do.
It is instructive to mention that the arts and creative industries are a significant engine of the global economy, contributing trillions of dollars to GDP and supporting millions of jobs. According to UNESCO, cultural and creative industries (CCIs) generate 3.39% of global GDP and account for 3.55% of all employment worldwide.
Art has the potential of drastically reducing the employment rate in the country. Let’s take it more seriously.
Kudos to the Creative Arts Agency, the UNESCO country office and other stakeholders for making this happen.
