By Collins Amo Poku
The Manwerehene of Sabin Akrofrom Traditional Council and also Asanteman Norwayhene, Nana Kota Ntiamoah has emphasised the need for Ghanaians to value their culture and heritage wherever they find themselves – either home or abroad.
He noted that culture is the identity of a people and that every group of people need to be proud of their own identity even in the comity of nations.
Nana Kota made these remarks when speaking at the official launch of Ghana-Norway Cultural Exchange in Accra, emphasising that traditions and culture is an embodiment of every successful nation.
He noted that sadly in recent years, new ages from Ghana are gradually losing and replacing their identity with foreign identity – a situation which can be remedied through public education, cultural events, entertainments, etc as espoused by the initiators of Ghana-Norway Cultural Exchange and their collaborators.
Exchanging Culture in diversity, multiculturalism
Based in Bergen, Norway he observed that Norwegians do not joke with their culture, citing their language as an example to buttress his point.
He said in the same way, Asanteman Norway which is registered as a national cultural non-profit organization in Norway has been voluntarily teaching Akan (Twi) for more than 10 children and youth in Norway.
This to him is to assist the younger generation born to Ghanaian parents to learn their mother tongue to master the culture of their ancestors even as they combine that with the Norwegian culture.
“It is good to learn different languages and different cultures as the world emerges from multicultural societies. But do not forget to master your own culture first so others can learn your beautiful Ghanaian Culture as you also learn from others like Norway, etc”, he stated.
Nana Kota who dropped his written speech and spoke in Akan to give meaning to the project launch, commended the project initiators – Infinity Events, Kyei-Boateng Communications/NARC and Alan Showbiz and their collaborators for this dream.
Launching in line with President Mahama’s vision
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie who declared the project duly launched in Accra said the ministry is proud of the project initiators and their collaborators.
She said such a project is in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to promote the art and culture and heritage of Ghana at the international stage and that the initiative is more than welcoming to her ministry.
She added that culture works in tandem with creative arts and tourism, highlighting the numerous significance that this project could bring on board the developmental strategies of Ghana, calling on the project initiators to add to the tally of collaborators whose contribution could explore new dimensions for a resounding project success story.
Significance of Folklore, Art Symbolism
The Executive Director of the National Folklore Board (NFB), Bernice Ann Deh-Kumah applauded the project initiators and felt proud of her office as collaborator.
She noted that the NFB as an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has been given the mandate to compile all traditional symbols that tell the folklore of Ghana into deeper dimensions, further noting that representing Ghana on this project is a privilege that provides an opportunity to sell Ghana to the global community.
2-day event in Norway and Ghana
The Project Communications Consultant who is also the CEO of Kyei-Boateng Communications/NARC, Joseph Kyei-Boateng said the initiative is one of the best to ever happen in the feathers of Ghana’s heritage development.
Exchanging culture between two nations, he noted, could help in the areas of education, business, entertainment, etc that create opportunities to sell both countries to each other.
He said Norway’s event will be held in Bergen in April for two days (4th & 5th) and later in Ghana also two days in December.
He applauded the project collaborators and sponsors for joining hands to kick-start something valuable ever to be recorded in the annals in the books of Ghana and Norway.
He listed the collaborators as: National Folklore Board (Ghana), the International Theatre Institute (ITI – Ghana Chapter), Asor Body Works, Center for National Culture, UNESCO, the Ghana Embassy in Oslo, Norway, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Diplomatic Affairs Media & Communications Limited, Leyden Education Foundation, Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), among other collaborators.
He said the project is being sponsored by WeBoat Company Limited, Covenant Contractor, Guan Bay Herbal & Homeopathic Clinic, Mensvic Hotel, Square Miles Homes, ADABOF, Unity Link, Ellaven Consult, Top Connect, etc.
