Cultural rendition is becoming more excellent in the Volta Region, as producers and show runners commit to improving the craft.
This was confirmed at the Regional Festival of Arts and Culture, at a three-day event featuring troupes of performers from the various districts in the Volta Region, held at the Volta Centre for National Culture in Ho.
As the districts took turns and worked to impress judges at the event, the vast improvement in performance and delivery became evident.
Performers seem to have mastered some pyrotechnics and live fire was more prominently featured in most of the works.
Drama had also improved, becoming more captivating and winning cheers and applause while costumes got more intricate and creative.
The regional festival’s grand durbar was held on Friday and the best performing troupes were selected to represent the region at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) in the Bono East Region in October.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the NAFAC and is being celebrated under the theme: “Beyond NAFAC @60: Harnessing Culture, the Pivot for Ghana’s Democracy and Sustainable Development”.
Mrs. Lydia Nyarko-Ampomah, the Regional Director for the Centre for National Culture said the Region would require support in driving arts and culture into a viable export product.
“Volta Region is doing its best but there is a lot more that we need to do to project our arts and culture,” she said, and called for a perspective change as it affected investor prospects for the promising industry.
“We need support – investors. People feel that arts and culture, if you are not a Christian then its fetish, its ungodly, etc. The way we see culture is what is making people not to invest so much into it. But culture is who we are as a people and we have a lot to sell as a region,” the Regional Director added.
Mrs Nyarko-Ampomah gave the assurance that the best art troupes and ensembles from within the Region would be represented at the national event.
“Even though it is not a competition, it is the place where we are able to exhibit what the Region has to Ghana to the entire world. It is an opportunity to also get investors into the Region. So, we are taking this particular programme very seriously, to select our best and sell it or give it to the world.”
Present at the durbar were traditional rulers, heads of departments and students, who were treated to an endless display of cultural arts.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister and Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Paramount Chief of Anfoega and President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, were guests of honour.
An exhibition of cultural history and locally made produce was also held concurrently, and the Volta Regional Museum took a stand.
A beauty pageant was also held to select a beauty queen to represent the Region.
The Regional Minister commended the role of the celebration in promoting the wealth of diversity.
He said culture retained a prominent place in cementing the nation’s democratic credentials and also in attaining the sustainable development goals, therefore, all must lend their support for its sustenance.
“For over six decades, the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) has been a beacon of Ghanaian Heritage, showcasing the rich diversity of our traditions, music, dance, and arts folklore.
“This milestone allows us to reflect on our journey as a nation and envisage the path ahead where culture is not just a spectacle but a driving force for democracy and sustainable development.
“As we stand at the crossroads of history, we must preserve and promote our cultural heritage, ensuring that it continues to thrive for generations to come. Without culture, there can be no true nationhood and without nationhood, there can be no development,” Dr. Letsa said.
From Samuel Akumatey, Ho
GNA
