The Centre for National Culture in the Western Region is poised for a significant enhancement with the anticipated completion of its auditorium, facilitated by the funding initiatives from the Ministry of Tourism.
This endeavor forms part of a broader national strategy aimed at establishing cultural hubs across the six newly delineated regions of the country.
Historically, the Western Regional Centre for National Culture has languished due to prolonged neglect and unfulfilled commitments to rehabilitation from successive administrations, resulting in a facility that is now critically deteriorated and far from its intended functional capacity.
A turning point occurred on July 29, 2024, when Andrew Egyapa Mercer, the then-Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, committed to a comprehensive restoration of the centre by December 2024. However, following the electoral defeat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), progress stagnated after initial renovations, which included the replacement of roofing and windows, were abruptly halted. This stagnation occurred despite assurances of a secured allocation of GH¢45 million from the Ministry of Finance for the ongoing project.
During a recent engagement with the staff currently operating from the Western Regional Coordinating Council’s offices, Wakefield Wisdom Ackuaku, the Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture, emphasized that the incumbent Tourism Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, is diligently seeking the necessary funding to complete the auditorium. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to provide essential infrastructure for the six newly established regions while addressing land encroachment challenges in the Western Region.
Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, underscored that the completion of the centre would serve as a crucial asset and relief for the region, potentially revitalizing its cultural landscape.
