We need a national art gallery and a museum to present our works – GAVA to the government

The president of the Ghana Association of Visual Artists (GAVA), Nii-Ayi Akwetey Hyde, called on the government of Ghana to establish a modern national museum and an indigenous art gallery.

Speaking to a reporter during the 2021 edition of the Sound Out Premium art exhibition organized by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC), Mr Hyde said that the creation of a national gallery would help to preserve and promote Ghanaian. art.

He said all national symbols and works of art should be well preserved and displayed in a national gallery for the public to learn more about Ghana’s art history and the contributions of various artists.

He explained that, unlike other products, works of art gain in importance as they age, making them more valuable and expensive, hence the need to invest in their preservation.

Mr Hyde added that the Accra Art Center, where most local artists conduct commercial activities, is currently in a deplorable state and lacks modern facilities to promote the art trade.

He however commended GEPA for its support to the local art sector by leading the Sound Out initiative and other art exhibitions.

Addressing the attendees, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Krapa praised Ghanaian artists for helping to promote the country internationally through creative art.

He said that works of art created by renowned artists such as Larry Otoo, Zohra Opoku, Ibrahim Mahama and Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, have been recognized internationally for their high standards and unique styles which positively project the image of the Ghana in the world.

Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) CEO Dr Afua Asabea Asare said government support to the art sector is aligned with one of the key pillars of the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS ).

Launched in the last quarter of 2020, NEDS must harness available resources to stimulate export production to achieve sales of $ 25.3 billion by 2029.

Dr. Asabea Asare said that GEPA is committed to promoting Sound Out to become an African art festival where artists from across the continent will attend to present their works.