The Visual Arts Department of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Kumasi is contributing to the economic development of the country through skills development and job creation.
Mrs. Grace Agyapong Fosu, Head of the Department, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Kumasi that through the technical and vocational training programmes offered by the Department, many young people had acquired skills which had helped them to create their own businesses and jobs.
She indicated that a total of 276 people, including students and foreigners, received training in all sections under the Visual Arts Department in 2024.
The sections include Batik, Tie and Dye, Graphic Design and Painting, Fashion, Broad Loom and Asante Kente weaving as well as the Pottery and Ceramics.
Mrs. Fosu said it was important to note that the relevance of the CNC in the preservation and promotion of the Ghanaian indigenous culture was being championed through its training programmes.
She recalled that early this year, a training programme was organised for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the Garden City Special School as a way of including PWDs in the skills development training.
"Some of them might have hidden talents in arts which must be harnessed through training. This is why we don't want to leave them out," Mrs. Fosu indicated.
Apart from the training and internship programmes, she mentioned that the Visual Arts Department organized yearly bazaars and exhibition of creative arts.
"This year we will organize the bazaar in mid-July to September and top it up with the arts exhibition in December," she said.
She called on all visual arts enthusiasts not to hesitate to reach out to the CNC Visual Arts Department to either polish their skills or be trained in any of the sections of the department.
Mrs. Fosu appreciated the Ashanti Regional CNC for providing the Graphic Design and painting section with a computer and its accessories to aid in service delivery.