By Florence Afriyie Mensah
Kumasi, July 21, GNA – Kumasi, July 21, GNA – The Ashanti Regional Centre for National Culture (CNC) has launched its 75th anniversary celebrations, highlighting its role in preserving traditions and nurturing artists, craftsmen, performers and cultural practitioners.
Over the years, the Centre has remained steadfast in preserving the cultural values that define the identity of the people despite periods of social, political and economic change.
Mr. Wakefield Ackuaku, Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture (NCC), speaking at the launch in Kumasi, reaffirmed the Commission’s allegiance and commitment to the Golden Stool and the traditional authorities of Asanteman.
He expressed the Commission’s willingness to deepen collaborations aimed at preserving, promoting and transmitting the rich cultural heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom to future generations.
Mr. Ackuaku said the opening of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art and Craft Exhibition in honour of the Asantehene was particularly significant.
“Otumfuo’s reign has demonstrated that culture is not an obstacle to development; rather, culture is the foundation upon which sustainable development is built.
“Through his visionary leadership, the rich heritage of Asanteman has been preserved while embracing innovation, education, investment and modern governance,” he said.
He noted that the works displayed at the exhibition went beyond artistic creations, describing them as repositories of memory, symbols of identity and testimonies to the ingenuity of the Ghanaian people.
“Every carving, textile, sculpture, bead and craft tells a story about where we have come from and where we aspire to go,” he added.
Mr. Ackuaku said as the milestone was being celebrated, there was the need to recognise culture as an increasingly important economic asset.
He said countries across the world were leveraging their cultural resources to create employment, stimulate tourism, promote exports and strengthen national identity, and urged Ghana to pursue similar opportunities.
“This is why the National Commission on Culture is committed to positioning culture at the centre of national development through initiatives such as the Black Star Experience.
“We believe that our heritage, our arts, our festivals, our crafts, our music, our stories and our creative talents are not merely cultural treasures; they are strategic assets for economic transformation and national renewal,” he said.
Mr. Ackuaku stressed that the next chapter of the cultural journey would focus on empowering young creatives, supporting cultural entrepreneurship, embracing digital innovation and expanding opportunities for artisans and cultural practitioners to access local and international markets.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, assured that the region was determined to position its rich cultural heritage as a strategic pillar for tourism promotion, youth employment, investment attraction and local economic development.
Nana Kwabena Bonsu III, Otumfuo Suaduhene, used the occasion to appeal to the government to allocate a budgetary support to the Kumasi Cultural Centre.
Mr. Peter Kofi Marfo, Acting Ashanti Regional Director, Kumasi Cultural Centre, outlined activities leading to the climax of the Centre’s 75th anniversary celebration scheduled for November 6, 2026.
The activities include Students’ Drama Festival, Brass Band Performances, Traditional Cooking Competition, Kete, Adowa and Fontomfrom Festival, Anansesem Competition and clean-up exercises, among others.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Florence Afriyie Mensah
Email: [email protected]