The Centre for National Culture, Ashanti Region, held the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Arts and Crafts Exhibition 2024 at the Kumasi Cultural Centre on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
The event was part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Asantehene, with the theme “Promoting Trade, Tourism, and Investments in Ashanti Region”.
In an interview with Opemsuo News, the Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, Ashanti Region, Mr. Peter K. Marfo, explained that the exhibition aims to promote arts and crafts produced by local artisans and enhance their patronage in the Ashanti Region.
According to him, the exhibition and the artifacts produced by the artisans will contribute positively to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He added that foreigners visiting Ghana for tourism often purchase local made-in-Ghana arts and items, which benefits the local market and the country at large.
Mr. Marfo emphasized the importance of patronizing local products to stabilize the country’s economy.
He noted that appreciating our own products serves as promotion, encouraging producers to produce more and creating employment opportunities for others.
He expressed gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his immense contribution to promoting Ghana, our culture, and heritage.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Fredrick Adjei Rudolph, cautioned artisans against rapid price increases.
He advised them to consider their profit margins to avoid collapsing the market, emphasizing that such exhibitions promote our talents and culture, boost economic activities, and growth.
“Escalating the prices of your goods will not only affect the market badly but the whole country which will later tarnish the country’s reputation.”
The Chief of Feyiase Akoyem Traditional Area, Nana Addae Gyamera I, thanked the Management of the Centre for National Culture for promoting Ashanti culture and heritage.
He urged all to value and honour Ghanaian culture and traditions, echoing Otumfuo’s phrase, “Ma wo Asantesem ho hia wo.”
Source:opemsuo.com