|
Introduction
The National Commission on Culture recognises the need to develop a clear sense of corporate direction that will help it to galvanise the efforts of the people of Ghana to use culture as a necessary tool for national integration and socio-economic development. The Commission which is the main constitutional body charged with the responsibility of ensuring the smooth implementation the Cultural Policy of the country has developed this Strategic Plan to enable it to achieve the laudable aims and goals of the Policy.
The Cultural Policy of Ghana
The Cultural Policy document is the result of many years of deliberation and discussions at several Workshops and public fora. The Policy, which is proposed to give direction to the promotion of culture in nation building, outlines a number of objectives to be pursued.
The Cultural Policy was formulated to enhance the actualization of Article 39 of the Fourth Republican Constitution of the Republic of Ghana under the Directive Principles of State Policy, which declares as follows:
-
"...the State shall take steps to encourage the integration of appropriate customary values into the fabric of national life through formal and informal education and the conscious introduction of cultural dimensions to relevant aspects of national planning.
-
The State shall ensure the appropriate customary and cultural values are adopted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the society as a whole; and in particular, that traditional practices which are injurious to the health and well being of the person abolished.
-
The state shall foster the development of Ghanaian Languages and pride in Ghanaian culture.
-
The State shall endeavour to preserve and protect places of historical interest and artefacts."
Cultural Environment Analysis
The country has had a very rich cultural heritage from pre-colonial days to date with admirable traditional values and customs. The country has over fifty (50) ethnic groups and each of these has a unique cultural features and traditions that gives identity, self-respect and pride to the people.
In this era of globalisation and contemporary technological challenges, the people of Ghana have been exposed to the pressure from foreign cultures, especially from the West, which are impacting negatively on our traditional values and customs.
The Plan analyses the country's cultural environment, both institutionally (the Commission) and externally (political-legal, economic, social and technological factors) to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the cultural institutions, and the opportunities and threats the environment presents. With this analysis, the Plan outlines the strategic direction of the Management of the Commission.
Corporate Direction
The main goal of the Commission is to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the Cultural Policy of Ghana. In furtherance of this, the Commission has reformulated its vision and mission statement. The vision of the Commission is to ensure the preservation and respect of Ghana's cultural heritage, and use it to develop a united, vibrant and prosperous national community with a distinctive African identity and personality, and collective confidence and pride among the comity of nations.
In pursuance of this vision, the mission of the Commission is to maintain the unique cultural identity and values for the promotion of integrated national culture as well as contributing to the overall economic development of the nation.
|