Safeguard, transfer traditional concepts to younger generation  – Tourism Minister

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC), Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has under­scored the impor­tance of safeguarding traditional symbols while transferring the rich concept, sayings and proverbs to the younger generation.

This, according to Mr Mercer, was because such symbols formed part of the tangible aspect of vari­ous traditions, and gave visibility to the tangible ideas or a set of beliefs of a traditional group.

Additionally, he had emphasised the need to recognise the individ­uals who had contributed to the sustenance and strengthening of Ghana’s heritage sector.

Mr Mercer said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Tourism, Mr Geoffrey Tamak­loe, at a forum organised in Accra on Thursday by the National Folk­lore Board to commemorate this year’s World Folklore Day held on the theme, “Relevance of tradition­al symbols in the 21st century.”

World Day of Folklore celebrat­ed on August 22, since 2018 on the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), aims at popularising the traditional folklore of countries around the world, as well as encouraging its preserva­tion.

It also coincided with the launch of the Ga Samai, pictograms which embody a great wealth of knowl­edge about the rich tradition and culture of the Ga people.

Mr Mercer said the event was relevant in the current modern dispensation because phenome­non such as “rapid globalisation and urbanisation” had put several aspects of Ga linguistic tradition and culture at risk.

He called for the use of tech­nology to translate proverbs into visual symbols to communicate and create new opportunities in the arts and cultural space.

The Executive Director of the National Folklore Board, Mrs Ber­nice Ann Deh-Kumah, said it was important to mobilise resource and efforts to protect the Ga Samai as most of them had faded, and were no longer common to be seen in the Ghanaian landscape.

She said that the National Folklore Board had included the Ga Samai in the newly opened National Register for Intangible Cultural Heritage which could be found on the MoTAC website, and was also working with Evangelist Bruce Dollar, who had created a prayer ark using the Ga Samai.

“We also encourage companies to explore the Ga Samai symbols in their products and services as well,” Mrs Deh-Kumah added.

There were solidarity messag­es from representatives of the Ga Traditional Council, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and other relevant stakeholders.

 BY PRECIOUS NYARKO BOAKYE