Catherine Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts
Minister of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Catherine Abelema Afeku, has announced government’s preparedness to partner Cuban artists to mount cultural and historical sculptures to promote tourism.
The sculptures will honour individuals who have fought to leave a legacy in the history of the country and preserved the country’s customs, traditions and history for generational reference.
The minister disclosed this at a meeting with a Cuban delegation led by Pedro Luis Despaigne Gonzalez, the Cuban Ambassador to Ghana in Accra.
Mrs. Afeku stated that this year is a ‘Year of Return’, where Ghana will open doors for the African diaspora and beyond to share knowledge, cultures, and creative abilities with other nations to promote international development.
She said the Cuban delegation, including the sculptors, were taken on tour of the country to observe some historical places such as the Elmina and Cape Coast Castles to help in the deliberations before the final decisions were made.
The minister mentioned that the two countries have agreed to have the sculptor train and work with some Ghanaian artists to create more employment opportunities for the youth.
Mr. Gonzalez said Ghana was the first nation Cuba had diplomatic relations with, hence it is fully prepared to help the nation preserve its history and culture through arts.
“We intend to fulfil the interest of Ghanaians by putting her history in an artistic way. We would demonstrate our support through art and this year, being the year of return, all Africans need to be proud,” he said.
“We are willing to support Ghana 100 per cent to promote its culture and mark its history,” Mr. Gonzalez added.