The Head of Department of Music and Dance, Dr. Eric Debrah has noted that culture has an important role to play in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Debrah explained that the SDGs focused primarily on attitudinal change which could be better communicated through the culture of people.
“Culture is who we are, and what shapes the identity of people and without it there will be no development. How do the people in the local communities appreciate research tailored towards addressing SDGs without taking into consideration their culture values”
He maintained that placing culture at the heart of development policies is the only way to ensure inclusive and equitable development.
Dr. Debrah made these comments in an interview at the 12th SDG Graduate School which is being held at the University of Coast on the theme “Performing Sustainability. Cultures and Development in West Africa”.
The SDG Graduate School is an interdisciplinary collaborative training network for graduate students by the University of Hildesheim, Germany, University of Cape Coast, Ghana and the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the SDG Graduate School focuses on the overlapping areas of culture, arts, conflict, and sustainable development.
Opening the one-week workshop, Prof. (Mrs.) Rebecca Dei Mensah who represented the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, said the SDGs sought to create peace and prosperity for people and the planet now and into the future by reducing the challenges of the globe in 17 cardinal areas.
She was hopeful that discussions at the workshop would help proffer solutions to address the SDGs especially Goal 4.
“The University of Cape Coast will be delighted if these topics are addressed in your deliberations especially Goal 4 which deals with quality inclusive and lifelong learning as well as issues relating to sustainable energy which are still challenges predominant in Africa” she indicated.
Opening ceremony of the workshop
In his remarks, the Director, Center for World Music, University of Hildesheim, Prof. Raimund Vogels said the workshop over the years had been phenomenal adding that students had used the opportunity to interact with renowned professors across the globe.
He stated that one of the objectives of the workshop was to help students complete their programmes on time. “Through this project two cohorts of PhD and Masters students have successfully completed their programmes of study.”
On his part, the Director of the Centre for the Study and Promotion of Cultural Sustainability of University of Maiduguri Prof. Saliba James, said the project had offered UCC and his University unique opportunities for staff development mostly at the PhD levels.
“Our students have also used this platform to meet and interact with their colleagues from other countries and culture and I must say the experience has been remarkable,” he added.
Present at the ceremony were the Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwah; Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantaka; Dean, Office of International Relations, Prof. Kwaku Boakye; Former Head, Department of Music and Dance, Prof. Florian Carl and some senior members and officials of SDG Graduate School project.