Conference discusses role of arts in development
The maiden edition of an international research conference that seeks to emphasise the role and relevance of Arts in the development of countries has opened in Accra.
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The two-day event, which is on the theme, “The Arts in the post-modern academy and society”, is being organised by the University of Ghana (UG) School Of Arts.
Participants in this year’s events are from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Ghana.
At the opening ceremony yesterday the Dean of the School of Arts, Professor Kodzo Gavua, said the conference was being organised to discuss the role Arts played in the development of nations.
Over the past years, he said, little attention had been given to the Arts industry because of the perceived belief that the sector contributed little to development.
Prof. Gavua particularly expressed worry about the lack of funding for projects relating to Arts, adding that the Science sector had received huge support to the detriment of Arts.
“This is not good, considering the role Arts plays in the development process of every country. We must begin to pay attention to Arts because without it, no meaningful development can be achieved,” he stressed.
Conference
Throwing more light on the conference, Prof. Gavua said it would create the platform for renowned Arts professors and scholars to educate students on the various prospects within the Arts sector.
“This will not be the first and only but we will continue to organise this conference annually to project Arts in Ghana,” he added.
Prof. Gavua, therefore, called for equal attention for the Arts sector, adding that Ghana could speed its development process if similar attention given to the Science sector was given to the Arts as well.
History benefits
Delivering the keynote address, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Cape in South Africa, Prof. Ciraj Rassool, said for development to be achieved and sustained, there was the need to project the history of great achievers on the continent.
He stressed the need for countries to pay attention to the Arts sector, saying without it, development would not be attainable.
Prof. Rassool, however, commended the organisers of the conference and gave an assurance that he was willing and ready to help promote Arts and history on the African continent.