The National Folklore Board celebrated this year’s World Folklore Day with a Multi National Summit at the National Theater in Accra on Monday August 22, under the theme, ‘Igniting the Interest of the Youth in Folklore for Sustainable Development’.
The National Folklore Board is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, with a responsibility of protecting expressions of folklore in Ghana.
Executive Director of the National Folklore Board, Mrs. Bernice Ann Deh-Kumah, revealed that, the summit is to kindle the interest of African youth in matters of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The summit was attended by many dignitaries including its Guest of Honor, Honorable Ibrahim Mohammed Awal (Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture) who was represented by his deputy Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey , Prof. Kodzo Gavua (Associate Lecturer, University of Ghana – Archeology Department), Prof. Yaw Owusu Frimpong (Business Expert, Lecturer UGBS) and Mrs. Sarah Norkor Anku (IP Specialist and Legal Practitioner ), interspersed with cultural performances.
Students from across Accra was joined by fellow students across Africa to mark the day as the National Folklore Board said this year’s celebration in centered on the Youth.
Guest Speaker Prof. Kodzo Gavua a Lecturer at the University of Ghana Archaeology and Heritage Studies Department speaking on the topic ” Contribution of Folklore to sustainable Development” said Ghanaians lacks self confidence as they don’t understand who we really but Prof. Gavua believes if one knows his or her culture, that person don’t lack confidence.
Prof. Kodzo Gavua is of the view that physically the African continent is free from slavery but politically and Economically, Africa is not Independent which he also believes culture can make us free totally.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey said culture can better the lives of Africans can reduce poverty on the continent.
He therefore urged the youth gathered at the National Theater to embrace their culture as it makes them unique.
Hon.Okraku Mantey assured that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts where he serves as the Deputy Minister and the National Folklore Board together with Other Cultural Agencies will be rolling out some policies to help the youth participate in Cultural exercise to help them hold on to their culture.
On the part of Prof. Yaw Owusu Frimpong who is a Business Expert and Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School who was speaking on the topic “Intangible Cultural Heritage and Career Avenues”, he appealed to Ghanaians to be proud of their history.
He also urged the younger generations to read and learn the history of Ghana to help them know where they are coming from and needs to be proud of it.
Professor George Panyin Hagan, a Prominent academic and Politician in Ghana encouraged the younger ones to acquire more knowledge by asking questions.
Prof. Hagan pleaded that Ghana’s culture needs to be preserved for the next generation as he fears we are gradually throwing away our history.
Legal Practitioner and Intellectual Property Consultant and a Senior Practitioner at the Anku Anku At Law Firm, Mrs.Sarah Norkor Anku called on the youth to create business out of folklore and monetize it as it will help them shape their future.
Executive Director of the National Folklore Board Mrs.Bernice Ann Deh-Kumah thanked the participants for attending the summit.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh / Ahotoronline.com
