The Executive Director for the National Folklore Board, Bernice Ann-Deh-Kumah, has urged Ghanaians to embrace folklore to enable it to create jobs for the youth.
According to the Executive Director, when it is embraced, it could be a major tool for the alleviation of unemployment in the country.
Speaking at the inauguration of 16-regional and national ambassadors to promote folklore in the country at all levels, Mrs. Ann-Deh-Kumah called for corporations to revive folklore.
“As a Board, we are ready to work together with the regional and international ambassadors to create a market for folklore products and services for wealth creation,” she remarked.
Mrs. Ann-Deh-Kumah explained that this will re-hash the cultural significance and the Ghanaian Heritage. She further reiterated the board’s readiness to revive the love for Ghanaian customs and traditions.
The inauguration of the 16 regional ambassadors and one international ambassador according to her is to help spread and instill the love for Ghanaian culture and also to curb the rapid influx of foreign cultures, especially on screens.
The ambassadors are expected to scout and monitor the users of folklore symbols and artifacts and persuade them to register for license at the National Folklore Board which form part of their duties and responsibilities.
“I want to use this opportunity to announce to you that, the National Folklore Board will launch its quarterly media engagements as part of its efforts to educate and promote Ghana’s folklore in June 2022,” Mrs. Ann-Deh-Kumah said.
Veteran Hiplife musician, Okyeame Kwame, who doubles as an ambassador for tourism,explained the signs of the adinkra symbols and the need for the ambassadors to be given responsibilities.
“It’s only when we love ourselves that others will love us. This inauguration of the ambassadors from great cultural beliefs will bring back amazing Ghana and will earn our culture with great respect when Ghanaians receive it well”
Okyeame Kwame
Mark Okraku Emphasizes Need to Protect Folklore
It can be recalled that recently, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Mark Okraku Mantey, emphasized the need for Ghana to protect folklore in order to help drive the country’s tourism and creative arts industry.
Mr. Okraku Mantey made the call when he inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Folklore Board in Accra. According to Mark Okraku Mantey, if the country fails to have strong folklore, it will negatively affect the country’s culture, creative arts, and tourism.
The Deputy Minister, speaking at the inauguration of the board members, mentioned that folklore plays a key role in the development of the country’s tourism and cultural industry. He averred that if the creative industry suffers, tourism would be badly affected and that would have a toll on the Ministry’s target to become the biggest contributor to the country’s economy.
Mr. Okraku Mantey, therefore, challenged the board to deliver its mandate as expected to help drive the National Folklore Board into prosperity as he said: “you didn’t just get here, it is because of what you are known for and what you’ve done over the years”.
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