Arts enthusiast and former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has established an arts exhibition centre at his residence in Sandema in the Upper East Region, aimed at inspiring young people and exposing them to artworks of international standard.
Afoko made this known in an interview with Mike FM during an exhibition and art workshop organised for students of Azantilow Senior High Technical School, Sandema Senior High School, and Afoko Primary School.
Explaining the motivation behind the initiative, he said bringing high-value artworks to his hometown was intended to spark creativity and broaden the horizons of young learners.
“The idea of coming home to Sandema to host an exhibition of artworks worth tens of thousands of dollars in one place is to expose children to both international and local art. This exposure can serve as a trigger to their creativity. The aim is to inspire them.” He said.
Afoko described art as a powerful expression of feelings and emotions beyond words, noting that its meaning often varies across cultures and individuals. He encouraged students to aspire to greater academic heights through the study and appreciation of the arts.
He also highlighted the rich heritage of local art in the region, stressing the need to view the sector from a commercial perspective.
“We have our own traditional arts, which were never monetised. I grew up in my uncle’s house in Navrongo years ago, where traditional houses were built and decorated by women using local materials to create colours that lasted a long time.”
“That was art, but it was not monetised. The younger generation can leverage art to build careers that also have economic value.” He explained.
The exhibition, organised as a complementary activity in the lead-up to the annual Feok Festival, also featured an art workshop where participating students created artworks under the supervision of their teachers and facilitators.
Some of the students shared their experiences with Mike FM, expressing excitement and inspiration from the exhibition.
“This exhibition has really impacted me. I saw artworks by famous artists from Ghana and outside the country. It has inspired me to be more creative and imaginative.” A student said.
“I have learned that people can express their feelings through drawing. I did an artwork about the challenges persons with disabilities face in our communities.” Another student said.
As part of the programme, each participating school was presented with 20 tree seedlings to be planted and nurtured. Monitoring will be conducted annually during the Feok Festival celebrations, with awards to be presented to schools that excel in caring for the trees.
Mike 105.3 FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
