Within the framework of UNESCO’s global capacity-building strategy for the implementation of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003), and the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005), the UNESCO Cluster Office in Accra organizes a workshop on “The Power of Culture in Development”. This workshop brings together 41 representatives from Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, National Commission on Culture, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana (Legon), Ghana National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Education, Environmental Protection Agency of the Ministry of Science and Environment and other key institutions involved in the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. The Workshop is presided by the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture of Ghana. Such as Ghana and Liberia have not ratified the two conventions, a holistic and multisectoral approach was adopted by the Accra Office in order to create an inclusive understanding and appreciation of the questions tackled by these normative instruments.

The key objectives of the meeting and other follow-up activities aimed:

A. Familiarize all participants with the UNESCO Conventions for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions

B. Promote the ratification of the conventions by the Parliament and the Government of Ghana

C. Raise awareness all participants about the importance of recognizing the cultural heritage – particularly living heritage - in national policy development and implementation of development programs.

The workshop is facilitated by the Programme Specialist of UNESCO for Culture in Ghana, a traditional chief, academics, practitioners and militants of the culture in Ghana.

The Accra workshop is part of the global strategy of UNESCO capacity building , implemented with the support of the intangible cultural heritage fund and the budget of the regular program.

• List of participants: English