News
Creative arts inspire God-given talents – UEW Pro-VC
● Some dignitaries after the event
It is necessary for the country to give critical attention to the creative arts sector due to its important role in national transformation and development, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, (UEW), has said.
“If we want the country to grow, we must pay attention to the creative arts industry. It creates and reveals inner mind and joy,” he stressed.
He again said: “Creative arts inspire people to unearth their God-given talents and it is beneficial to the community.”
Prof Ofori-Birikorang said these at the opening of the Creative Arts Conference organised by the School of Creative Arts (SCA), in collaboration with the Centre for Research, Culture, and Creative Arts, University of Education, Winneba (UEW) last Friday.
The conference was on the theme: “Re-developing Creative Arts Education Policy and Research for Sustainable Industrial Development.”
It offered an opportunity for participants to deliberate on how to strengthen the promotion of arts education in Ghana.
Prof Ofori-Birikorang stated that the School of Creative Arts Education existed to train competent professional teachers for all levels of education as well as conduct research, disseminate knowledge and contribute to educational policy and development.
“If we want to brand this university, we must pay attention to the School of Creative Arts. The creative arts industry inspires us to do things, and it is only through this inspiration that we get the energy of creativity,” he said.
In an address, the Dean of the SCA, Prof. PatriquedeGraft-Yankson, stated that recognition was currently being given to arts in Ghana through different interventions and training for a number of individuals across the country.
He commended President Akufo-Addo led administration for its support for the creative arts sector since it took power in 2017.
The Dean again praised the university for its commitment towards making the conference an annual event and said the school would be orgainising series of formal, informal and academic discussions among staff, peers and students.
According to Prof deGraft-Yankson, the formal and informal training attitudes and proficiencies needed to make the arts an important tool for defining and planning result-oriented human activities for quality living, were lacking.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the country to adopt a thoughtful and conscious involvement in the creative arts educational policies and research for progress.
The Director of Creative Arts Council, Ms. GyankromaAkufo-Addo, underscored the important role of arts education towards the skills of individuals such as critical thinking, and called for support in that regard.
She called on all the sundry to support and encourage children who demonstrate interest in the arts to pursue their passion and unearth their talents.
From David O. Yarboi-Tetteh, Winneba
News
National Service Authority to Introduce Military Training
Management of the National Service Authority, yesterday, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, held talks with the Military High Command towards the implementation of the National Service Emergency Response Readiness Programme (NSERRP).
When implemented, this will reflect His Excellency the President’s commitment towards the implementation of a short military training for National Service Personnel (NSPs) as planned efforts to instill discipline, nationalism and physical fitness among Ghanaian graduates.
The President shared this position during his maiden State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday February 27, 2025.
At yesterday ’s meeting, the Director-General, Mr. Felix Gyamfi reiterated the need for all personnel to undergo basic military drills and orientation as part of orienting the youth to embrace national development.
“The introduction of this military training is a step in the right direction and must be embraced by all and sundry as one of the indicators for resetting the country, particularly the youth,” he commented.
On his part, Brigadier General Amoah-Boakye assured the Authority of their willingness to provide the requisite training for personnel when the Programme officially commences.
In all, personnel will receive up to two months of composite basic military drills starting 3rd August, 2025.
News
Ghana Tourism Authority acts on concerns of minors allegedly taken to Hotel in Accra New Town.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has taken swift action following reports circulating on social media regarding an incident involving minors allegedly taken to a hotel in Accra New Town.
The case has been formally reported to the Nima Division of the Ghana Police Service for investigation.
In line with their mandate to ensure safety and compliance in the tourism and hospitality sector, our CEO Mrs.Maame Efua Houadjeto delegated a team from the GTA Head Office, Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, Deputy CEO, Special Duties and Mr Ekow Sampson, Deputy CEO, Operations who joined the Greater Accra Regional Director, Ms. Roberta Dawson-Amoah, and the Deputy Director of Marketing, Ms. Clara Nketiah, to visit the said facility.
The objective was to verify the facts on the ground and take necessary regulatory action.
They commended the Ghana Police Service for their co-operation and continued support in the ongoing investigation.
Additionally, the team inspected Royal Dede Beach Resort, which has been converted into a hostel under new management without official notification to the Ghana Tourism Authority.
The team discovered that the hostel’s operations were not in compliance with the L. I 2239. Meanwhile the operator has been directed to the Standards and Quality Assurance Department of the Authority for the necessary regulation.
“We remind all accommodation operators that the Tourism(Registration and Licensing of Accommodation) Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2239) mandates every facility to register and obtain a license from the GTA before commencing operations.
This regulation ensures quality, safety, and compliance across the industry,” they noted.
The GTA they said, remains committed to safeguarding the public and upholding the highest standards in the hospitality sector and urged
the public to report suspicious or non-compliant facilities to the nearest GTA office.
