The Accra Arts Centre: One-stop destination for art works
The National Center for Cultural Art in Accra remains the prime host of priceless crafts of authentic Ghana-made products.
Also known as the ‘Arts Centre’, the arts market is located on the 28th February Road- Accra High Street, along the seafront near Black Star Square.
The center which became very popular in the 80’s for its leisure and entertainment programmes through its "Anansekrom", which used to be held there on weekends.
The center is also noted for providing a first-time visitor with products made from local materials ranging from beads, wood, brass, leather, local fabrics and much more.
For many years, the center has attracted and hosted a lot of tourists and other art enthusiasts to experience and learn about the country’s arts industry.
A walk through the market showed the display of some really fantastic works done by talented folks demonstrating a high sense of enthusiasm. They do this by warmly welcoming visitors and accompanying them to their stalls. Other hawkers, from all corners, also approach visitors as soon as they arrive at the main entrance convincing them to come with them to see what they have in their sheds.
Upon arriving at the entrance my friend and I had not decided which way to go, until a man approached us with a smile saying; “Up ahead is my stall where the real goods are. You don’t want to bother yourself roaming the entire place.”
At the front left of Arts Centre, a sleepy restaurant’s speakers are tuned into a local radio station playing U.S. hip hop and R&B music.
If one is not exhausted by the scrum that welcomes them, they certainly will be amazed with what unique and beautiful items they can find ranging from wood carvings, traditional musical instruments, cane and raffia products, leather ware, gold, silver and bronze jewelry, beads, clay products, paintings to ivory products, and many more. These items are brought to the markets from various parts of the country and also from other countries within the West African sub-region including, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal and Nigeria.
Even though the Accra Arts Centre is not exactly a nice, big and orderly building, but rather a crowded collection of stalls, a first-time visitor is sure to be overwhelmed and persuaded to enter the dimly lit market place exceptionally made the display of arts.
Today, the reason for most of the hundreds of people who visit the place every day is different. They go there to buy or sell in the arts and craft market, located within the premises of the Centre for National Arts and Culture. It is the biggest market for handicraft products in the country.
The arts and craft market provides employment opportunities for many people. Skills have been developed in carving, painting, designing, metal works to service the market.
The buyers are made up of those purchasing a few items to customers who place orders for large quantities of various products. A lot of buyers are tourists and other foreigners visiting Ghana. The market is in fact one of the most important tourist attraction sites in the City of Accra and in Ghana. For this reason, some important international personalities and delegations that visit the country for official assignments or attend conferences and seminars are taken to the market to see and perhaps buy some of the crafts on display.
Upon arrival, the Regional Secretary, Mr.Kofi Opare- Ntow who we met said the center present a common front in exploring business opportunities and assistance for people. Also, the center ensures that the interest of all customers are severed and protected at all times.
Because the craft market is very old and there's been no investment in infrastructure, the structures housing the exhibits are very dilapidated.
According to visitors and tourist the market is very popular in Europe and America because of the variety and quality of the handicrafts available. Some of them said the items that they purchase are sent home as gifts for their loved ones and relations while others explained that they buy and resell in America and Europe.
My friend and I enjoyed selecting souvenirs at a low prize to take back home. So much so that we returned again for a few last minute things!
By Hamidu, Abdul-Lateef.
The National Center for Cultural Art in Accra remains the prime host of priceless crafts of authentic Ghana-made products.
Also known as the ‘Arts Centre’, the arts market is located on the 28th February Road- Accra High Street, along the seafront near Black Star Square.
The center which became very popular in the 80’s for its leisure and entertainment programmes through its "Anansekrom", which used to be held there on weekends.
The center is also noted for providing a first-time visitor with products made from local materials ranging from beads, wood, brass, leather, local fabrics and much more.
For many years, the center has attracted and hosted a lot of tourists and other art enthusiasts to experience and learn about the country’s arts industry.
Upon arriving at the entrance my friend and I had not decided which way to go, until a man approached us with a smile saying; “Up ahead is my stall where the real goods are. You don’t want to bother yourself roaming the entire place.”
At the front left of Arts Centre, a sleepy restaurant’s speakers are tuned into a local radio station playing U.S. hip hop and R&B music.
If one is not exhausted by the scrum that welcomes them, they certainly will be amazed with what unique and beautiful items they can find ranging from wood carvings, traditional musical instruments, cane and raffia products, leather ware, gold, silver and bronze jewelry, beads, clay products, paintings to ivory products, and many more. These items are brought to the markets from various parts of the country and also from other countries within the West African sub-region including, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal and Nigeria.
Today, the reason for most of the hundreds of people who visit the place every day is different. They go there to buy or sell in the arts and craft market, located within the premises of the Centre for National Arts and Culture. It is the biggest market for handicraft products in the country.
The arts and craft market provides employment opportunities for many people. Skills have been developed in carving, painting, designing, metal works to service the market.
The buyers are made up of those purchasing a few items to customers who place orders for large quantities of various products. A lot of buyers are tourists and other foreigners visiting Ghana. The market is in fact one of the most important tourist attraction sites in the City of Accra and in Ghana. For this reason, some important international personalities and delegations that visit the country for official assignments or attend conferences and seminars are taken to the market to see and perhaps buy some of the crafts on display.
Upon arrival, the Regional Secretary, Mr.Kofi Opare- Ntow who we met said the center present a common front in exploring business opportunities and assistance for people. Also, the center ensures that the interest of all customers are severed and protected at all times.
Because the craft market is very old and there's been no investment in infrastructure, the structures housing the exhibits are very dilapidated.
According to visitors and tourist the market is very popular in Europe and America because of the variety and quality of the handicrafts available. Some of them said the items that they purchase are sent home as gifts for their loved ones and relations while others explained that they buy and resell in America and Europe.
My friend and I enjoyed selecting souvenirs at a low prize to take back home. So much so that we returned again for a few last minute things!
By Hamidu, Abdul-Lateef.
No comments:
Post a Comment