User:Zosimlinaa

THE DESIGN AND MARKETING HISTORY OF GHANAIAN INDIGENOUS POTTERY It might be worth noting, as a first remark, that even though the indigenous pottery that form part in the development of this country  now has a low influence on the daily life of people, due to many changes that are occurring in response to different challenges. Large numbers of pots are still produce in Ghana using the indigenous methods, but there, as all over the world, the rich Ghanaian heritage of pottery techniques is being eroded as the country becomes more urbanized since plastic and metal factories produced domestic ware now take over much of the market, Nevertheless, just as potters in all areas of the world throughout history have been influence by ideas, styles, and technology; Ghanaian forms and designs associated with particular ethno-linguistic groups are still distinct. Methods seem not to have changed over the years: the tools are still the same with a few additions of items to hand, their use in the formation of the pots remain the same with few innovations. Through the generations, techniques, shapes, forms and designs are maintained. Until recently, pottery in Ghana has always been hand built and fired in open fires. Low fired earthenware pots are used for all domestic needs – for cooking, carrying and storing water etc. Because there is no need for a higher-fired ware, none has been developed; in fact, earthenware is better adapted to the indigenous Ghanaian life than high-fired ceramics would have been.

A WAY FORWARD FOR ITS SUCCESSFUL FUTURE Wealth creation in the indigenous pottery industries amounts to economic growth which is also largely synonymous with poverty reduction. This is because the potential for growth such as human and physical resources are often abound and under utilized in pottery production areas. So any activity that engages these resources facilitates growth which is a prerequisite for development. It has been observed that the long-term growth strategy of the country is predicated on the concept of the modernization, repackaging, integration approaches, restructuring and development of the indigenous pottery. An indigenous pottery industry is a catalyst for the transformation of the national economy. Generally, Ghana is predominantly a tourism country. Repackaging selected indigenous pottery with integration techniques will considerably give an appropriate marketing environment for the indigenous pottery industries. Indigenous pottery industrialization can also provide spin-offs and create backward and forward linkages for the entire economy. Strong economies, built on improved indigenous artifacts and accompanied by the right policy settings will boost national economic growth and reduce poverty. But then, repackaging selected indigenous pottery must play a supportive role in achieving the transformation of the indigenous art industries from its subsistence orientation to a commercially attractive, viable, and dynamic sector, which is vital for the achievement of sustained equitable growth. The restructuring of the indigenous pottery is an important aspect of decentralization. The indigenous art industries are an essential element in reinforcing macro economic policies for stability and sustainable growth. There is the need, therefore, to change the concept of indigenous pottery activities as simply a way of life to that of a profitable commercial and industrial art occupation. The achievement of this objective requires a repackaging of a selected indigenous artifacts especially pottery with integration approaches to complement government efforts. In conclusion, there is the need to strengthen the indigenous pottery industries in an active way to ensure that it is capable of acting effectively as the engine of growth and poverty reduction as enshrined in the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy.

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