Renowned visual artist Dramani Abubakari is calling on the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts to invest in more visual art studios and educational resources, emphasizing their potential to boost tourism, expand international markets, and enrich art education in senior high schools.
Speaking with Jasmine Adjei Anyetei at an exhibition during the 25th PENSEC anniversary, he appealed to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Arts to establish more visual art studios to boost tourism and expand the market for visual artworks, both locally and internationally.
Urging that the ministry should provide tools and materials to senior high school students to enhance teaching and learning in the visual arts.
“I would say that the visual art industries need more studios to boost tourism in the country. I have been to many schools and I have realized the students use their effort to strive forward, so if they are able to gain sponsorship and support, they are good to go because Africans have talent.”
He emphasized that marketing remains a major challenge for visual arts in Africa, largely due to a lack of public awareness about its value.
According to him, only those who truly understand and appreciate visual art are likely to invest in it, while many others culturally misunderstand and call it fetish.
Mr. Dramani Abubakari highlighted the problems he encountered during his childhood saying that he did not get the support of his parent because they thought visual art was not a good industry to venture in, but with passion and dedication, he pulled through all the restrains to become successful.
Author: Jasmine Adjei
Development journalist
