News
Selasie Arde-Acquah wins 2020 Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art
Ghanaian Artist, Lois Selasie Arde-Acquah, took home the grand prize of $5,000 as she was named the overall winner at the 2020 Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art.
The award aimed at empowering the most talented artist from the West African sub-region received over one thousand competing art pieces and was contested by 266 artists.
Ms Arde-Acquah’s work stood out among 12 finalists at the award ceremony held last Thursday in Accra with Mr. Opoku Mensah, emerging First Runner up while Nigeria’s Chinwe Chigby was adjudged Second Runner up.
Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Founder of the Kuenyehia Trust for Contemporary Art, in his address, said the Trust continued to make a difference in spite of challenges.
He said artists who participated in previous contests recorded an increase in value for their works, indicating that the Trust would work to make the award the “most-sought after Art Prize” in Africa.
“There is not a single artist who has made it to our shortlist whose work has not seen an increase in value. Each of our artists is as good as the best anywhere in the world. Each of our artists has an upward trajectory and each of them is worth betting on,” he said.
While acknowledging the support received over the years, the founder urged individuals and corporate entities to patronise indigenous art, support talented artists and donate to the Trust.
“Each of our artists is talented but talent alone is not enough. The artists who get ahead are those who in addition to talent gain visibility and continue to develop their practices,” Mr. Kuenyehia added.
Prof. Edwin Kwesi Bojawah, Director of KNUST Museum, emphasised the role of art in national development and called on stakeholders to invest in the sector.
Mr. Ohenaba Kofi Owusu Bempah, a board member of the Trust, praised the winners for their unique work and was confident that the artists would keep on producing unique and impressive works.
Having been in the industry for the past five years, Ms. Arde-Acquah attributed her progress to hard work stating she would “devote time and resources to art practice in the years ahead.”
By Ernest Nutsugah
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.
