Accra — The European Commission (EC) has made available to the National Commission on Culture a grant of two million euros to support the artistic industry.

The grant, which is from the ninth European Development Fund, is made available under the Cultural Initiatives Support Programme of the Commission on Culture.

Musicians, filmmakers, actors, draughts men and other civil society organizations are the target group. This, according to the Head of the EC Delegation in Ghana, Mr. Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, is "because of their undeniable commitment to the development of democracy and the furtherance of shared values, such as national unity within the context of ethnic diversity."

The president of the Actors Guild of Ghana, Samuel Nii Odoi Mensah, the President of MUSIGA, Dina Hopeson and ace musician A.B Crentsil were present at the launch of a call for submission of proposals by artists to access the fund.

They expressed joy and hoped the fund would be duly utilized to bring about much needed improvement in the country's ailing artistic industry.

The total sum of money to be disbursed this year is 350,000 new cedis and the grant has been categorized into two. A "small grant" falls between 2,000 to 12,000 new cedis whilst the "Big grant" ranges between 30,000 and 50,000 new cedis.

Individual artists and groups are expected to pick application forms at the Du Bois Center in Accra as well as District Cultural Offices.

Mr. Ceriani Sebregondi told journalists that his outfit has been supporting cultural initiatives the world over due to its promotion of intercultural dialogue and contribution to the global order of peace, mutual understanding and respect for shared values. The union has therefore declared 2008 the year of intercultural dialogue. "Cultural activities also help to promote an inclusive society and contribute to preventing and reducing poverty and social exclusion. Creative entrepreneurs and a vibrant cultural industry are a unique source of innovation and wealth creation for the future."

The support, according to Mr. Sebrigondi, is in line with provisions of Article 27 of the Cotonou partnership agreement between the EC and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to support culture in those countries. "This agreement provides a comprehensive framework for cultural cooperation. It includes the mainstreaming of culture in development activities, the promotion of intercultural dialogue, the preservation of cultural heritage, and support to cultural industries and, last but not least, improved access to European markets for ACP cultural goods and services."

He noted that what is said of football as a universal language could be said of culture too. "The ability to appreciate culture and to create pieces of art, dance or music is part of the universal human make-up."

The Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, Professor George Hagan, said it is important for Ghana to promote her culture for "it is a collective capital and gives Ghana a distinct identity."

He said the application for the fund will reach all corners of the country and gave the assurance that the selection of projects will be objective. "Every pesewa of the grant will be properly accounted for," he added.

Application forms could also be downloaded and printed from www.cispghana.org