PRESS RELEASE  Government of Ghana – European Union Joint Press Release

Euro 2million in Support of the Cultural Initiative Programme

The European Union funded Cultural Initiative Support Programme (CISP) was launched today 10th May, 2007 at the International Press Center by H. E. Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, Ambassador and Head of European Commission Delegation and Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning represented by Ms. Mary-Anne Addo. The launching of this Programme made available an amount of €2 million, (approximately ¢24,000,000,000) to support the programme.

The overall objective of the CISP is to stimulate the development of arts and cultural expressions in all their diversity as an engine for economic development and poverty reduction at the national, local and individual levels. It is envisaged that the programme would contribute to the enhancement and reinforcement of the capacity of individual artists and practitioners in the music, drama, dance, writing, among others.

This would be achieved through training, research, conferences, workshops, dialogue, consultation, sensitization and exchange programmes, as well as technical and financial support to Artistic Groups. The National Commission on Culture (NCC) has the overall responsibility for project implementation.

The objective of this project falls within the framework of the cultural policy of Ghana (2004-2008) which among other goals specifies the development and maximisation of cultural assets and values as a tool for wealth creation and socio-economic empowerment. The Cultural Initiative Support Programme is therefore expected to help accelerate the realization of this goal.