Nicholas Apokerah, Director of TradeAid has called on craftsmen in the Upper East Region to focus on value addition for their craft.
According to him, though the mother craft in the region already had its uniqueness, contemporary art ought to be added to catch the international market.
“Yes, if not all, there is no one on this planet earth that does not know or see Upper East craft. Likewise, we too, but then we have to begin adding value to make ours stand tall above all. That is why the Bolgatanga International Art and Craft Fair-BICAF is here not only as a platform for exposure but for value addition and networking.”
Mr. Apokerah made this known in an exclusive interaction with Moses Apiah at the 8th edition of BICAF, 2022 held in Bolgatanga.
Touching on the celebration and the need for collaboration from all stakeholders, Mr. Apokerah indicated that BICAFT should not be seen as an individual thing, but rather, as a generational platform for the yet unborn.
“This initiative was started in 2014, it is basically to give space to the entrepreneurial sector, expose craftsmen to the international market, and train them on how they can add value addition. It is not enough to say I’m making a craft to sell but that craft must have an impact for years to come. Craft is a generational thing, and this initiative has come to prove that. The idea of BICAF is how we can grow together as people without leaving anyone behind. And we can do it when we come together with a voice and vision like we have already started.”
He however called on relevant stakeholders in the craft sector and government institutions to partner with the initiative for greater heights.
“This year’s fair, we sent letters across, but just a few responded to our letters, and even that as you can see, the stakeholders that matter are you seeing them here? For instance, Ghana Export Promotion, Ghana Enterprise Agency. I think it is time we begin walking the talk. Politicians should begin to see that craft is a generational thing and has equal employment opportunities like other sectors and help those who are on it to grow. Politicians have to begin channelling the same energy they usually used in other sectors to craft.
This year’s fair he therefore noted had the support from the Department of Agriculture despite the numerous calls from other sectors.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
