The Ghana Cultural Magazine
On a regular visit to a friend's house a few months ago, I decided to carry with me a draft of the Pinnacle Magazine (a magazine which will deal with Ghanaian Music) to get her views on the project. We were only half way through with the design and layout; the friend, a Professor and Lecturer of film at the New York University, film maker and wife of the World Bank country director – Parine Jaddo said “It's a great idea, there are lots of us who desperately want to read more about the Culture and Arts of the Ghanaian people but there are simply no publications we can refer to.” She went on to tell me how she thought it was a “million dollar” idea and the fact that it will do well not only in Ghana but in Europe, the America's and other parts of the world.
Weeks ago, I walked into a meeting at the World Banks offices to seek advice on the project; lo and behold I was presented with the Ghana Cultural Magazine. An expertly produced, excellently edited and a well packaged piece. A Magazine that touched on the Culture of Ghana, from architecture, fine arts, drama, music to theatre and more. 'Wow' an amazing piece indeed. Immediately, I knew I had to meet the men behind it.
It was an initiative of the Cultural Initiative Support Programme (CISP), a body born out of a 2,000,000 Million Euro grant to the government of Ghana. The idea of the Cultural Magazine had been conceived in 2007 and there were very good reasons for it; despite the oft repeated assertion that culture represents the totality of our living experience, there was no national platform for debating, discussing and intervening in the cultural in the cultural terrain.
The maiden edition of the magazine was distributed free of charge in accordance with the contract setting up the CISP, however, the second edition which is ready for press will be sold as it will be independent of CISP funding. It will be supported by advertising, sponsorship and sales.
Watch out for copies in supermarkets, and other sales point to be communicated in due course. You should get a piece for your self. Read more about the interesting and fascinating culture of the people of Ghana. As Ghanaian as I am, I was thrilled by most of the things I discovered reading the cultural magazine. I wish I could share mine but no! it's too precious a piece to share, get one when it hits the news stands soon.
KAD Communications, the Cultural Initiative Support Programme(CISP) and all the individuals and groups who were involved in putting together this piece we say Ayekoo. John Owoo, Kwadwo Aboagye Gyan – Apenteng, Daniel Appiah-Adjei, Professor James Anquandah, Kwao Todzro, Korantema Adi-Dako and Kwabena Antwi Danso well done. Also to Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Joseph Zormelo, Christine A. Yorke Ameyi and Ebenezer Amponsah, keep up the good work.
http://www.pinnaclegh.com will advice that the kind of binding, paper and print be checked though. By our standards in Ghana, the maiden piece was excellent but we should begin to look at competing on the international stage.