ENCOURAGE FEMALES TO GO INTO THE ARTS (PAGE 25)

THE Executive Director of Rural Women and Children Development Organisation (RWCDO), Mr Abdulai Dannah, has expressed concern that some parents in the Tamale metropolis restrict their children, particularly girls, from offering courses related to the arts industry.
He noted that music, drama, visual arts and other vocations in the industry served as a source of income, poverty reduction criterion and a way for unearthing the full potential of children towards national development.
Mr Dannah stated this in Tamale during the celebration of this year’s SWAN’s Day in the Northern Region.
The day is set aside to recognise the importance of women’s participation in the art industry globally.
“Females must be given the mandate or free will to choose their respective careers,” Mr Dannah said.
He stressed that Ghana was part of the global village, and that parents must discard all negative practices that hindered the development of women and turned back the clock of progress in society.
“Let us make the best use of this occasion as a day we can use to promote our art works. This, in my opinion, will help unearth more talents among women, as well as promote the sharing of ideas to develop our art industry,” the director stated.
He entreated women artistes “to be courageous, believe in yourselves that you can make it and do not be deterred by discouraging statements from friends, relatives and the challenges of the environment”.
Mr Dannah said the celebration of the day was geared towards putting women artistes in the limelight and to expose their contributions towards the development of the arts industry.
“It is about time women were given the fullest recognition and encouragement to unearth their potential in the arts industry,” the director noted.
The Regional Director of the Department of Women of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Mr Patrick Issahaku Zakari-Saa, urged women in the arts industry not to “run away from challenges, because every one of them you confront and overcome can be a major stepping stone to your greatness”.
He appealed to women to make use of the media, so that they could market their potential to the outside world.
Mr Zakari-Saa further advised women artistes to form formidable associations to help scout for opportunities and promote the welfare of its members, particularly women.