Head of Industrial Arts and Crafts at Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Nelly Spio-Abaidoo, has disclosed that the outfit will enhance capacity building and market access opportunities for more artisans and businesses in the arts and crafts industry this year.
According to her, the decision forms part of efforts to boost the contribution of the arts and craft business to the country’s non-traditional exports basket, whilst assuring local artisans of enhanced capacity building opportunities this year.
“As part of our support to the arts and craft sector, we have a tool centre that we’re bringing up where artisans can go there to learn about contemporary, unique and functional products that they can use to compete on the international market.
It will be an accessible facility with consultants to provide technical assistance to them [artisans] to produce refined arts and craft that can meet international or global standards,” she said at a mini bazaar small-sized businesses in the arts and crafts sector to mark Ghana Month.
The one-day bazaar included live demonstrations including the art of kente weaving, bead making, basket making and pyrography—which is the art of using heat to make artistic drawings on wood—to take patrons through the various processes involved in coming out with the final crafts or products.
Co-Founder of the Accra Arts and Craft Market, Adnan Mohammed, expressed gratitude to GEPA for the immense support over the last nine months that has significantly grown the number of exhibitors and image of the exhibition.
“From about 24 exhibitors, the number has jumped to between 60 and 100 depending on the slots available to vendors in a specific month. GEPA’s support has been very impactful as it is helping the growth of the artisans; most them are becoming more digital-minded now and are building strong online presence to market their products,” he told Business24.
He said his outfit is working in partnership with GEPA to help small and medium arts and craft makers to get formalized as export businesses to enable them access bigger markets and to trade globally.