The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Mark Okraku Mantey, has 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 board, with the mandate to help facilitate the work of the National Folklore Board, which is a statutory body established and mandated under the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), to administer, register, promote and protect Ghanaian expressions of folklore on behalf of the President and for the people of Ghana, is chaired by Professor Abdulai Salifu Asuro. Other members of the board are; Madam Bernice Ann Deh-Kumah, Executive Director of National Folklore Board; Madam Yaa Attafua, Copyright Administrator; Mr. Enoch Yaw Oduro-Agyei; Mr. Philip Boakye Dua Oyinka; Madam Amy Frimpong; Madam Joseph Ohene-Osei, and Madam Sarah Norkor Anku.
Folklore, which is the body of culture shared by a particular group of people, encompasses the traditions common to that culture, subculture, or group.
Tourism development
The Deputy Minister, Mr. Okraku Mantey, 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.
“I agree that if we do not have a strong folklore or protected folklore, then what we want to use to drive culture will suffer. When culture suffers, it affects the creative industry”.
Mark Okraku Mantey
Mr. Okraku Mantey further speaking noted “We all know where President Akufo-Addo wants to take tourism and culture to; we all know his passion for this industry” and added that “if we are unable to build the foundation, which is folklore, this target, I am afraid, will not be achieved”.
The Deputy Minister was of the view that the board was very critical to maintaining the country’s culture as well as for helping to boost the country’s tourism industry.
Call to action Mark Mantey
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”.
In response to the Deputy Minister’s charge, the Chairman of the Board, Professor Abdulai Salifu Asuro, pledged the commitment of the board to help drive the National Folklore Board into prosperity. For him, folklore is critical to the very survival of the country. He also called on the Ministry to fast-track the processes of getting the national folklore policy.
