KNUST Lecturer Dr. Victoria Ogunnike Faleke Calls for Youth Empowerment in Arts to Safeguard Ghana’s Cultural Heritage

Dr. Victoria Ogunnike Faleke, a Senior Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has made a passionate appeal to the Ghanaian government to prioritize the empowerment of youth through the arts as a vital strategy for cultural preservation. Speaking at the Afrocuration Ghana 2026 event, Dr. Faleke argued that the creative and entertainment industries serve as indispensable pillars for maintaining and promoting the nation’s unique cultural identity in an increasingly globalized world. She emphasized that the youth are the primary custodians of future traditions and require structured support to fulfill this role.

The academic highlighted the significant influence of the entertainment sector on cultural heritage, citing Highlife legend Daddy Lumba as a prime example of how music can serve as a vehicle for cultural preservation. Dr. Faleke noted that artistic expressions do more than entertain; they archive the traditions, languages, and values of a people. By providing young Ghanaians with the tools and platforms to excel in these fields, she believes the country can ensure its heritage remains vibrant and relevant for future generations, preventing the erosion of local customs in favor of external influences.

Drawing a parallel with regional neighbors, Dr. Faleke pointed toward Nigeria's strategic approach to youth development within the music and cultural sectors as a model for success. She suggested that Ghana could benefit from similar government-backed investments that focus on institutional support for emerging artists. Such initiatives would not only bolster the creative economy but also foster a deeper sense of national pride among the youth, positioning the arts as a serious professional pathway that contributes to the national interest.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Faleke stressed that strengthening national identity requires a proactive stance from policymakers to integrate cultural education and artistic training into broader youth development frameworks. As Ghana looks toward the future, the integration of the arts into national strategy is seen as essential for building a resilient cultural legacy. The call to action at Afrocuration Ghana 2026 serves as a reminder that the vibrancy of Ghana's future depends heavily on how well it empowers and protects the creative potential of its youngest citizens today.