Tamale: Dance for Youth Empowerment project, a year-long initiative aimed at revitalizing the interest of the youth in cultural heritage, has been launched in Tamale. The project focuses on traditional drumming and dancing and will be implemented across four communities in the Tamale Metropolis-Changli, Banvim, Gumbihini, and Kalpohin.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative is being implemented by the Tamale Youth Home and Cultural Group with funding support from the KGL Foundation. It was launched under the theme: ‘Empowering Youth to Preserve and Promote Traditional Drumming and Dance Heritage while Fostering Sustainable Community Development’. The launch event gathered key stakeholders, including traditional authorities, youth groups, and civil society organizations such as Activista Ghana, Golden Inspire Foundation Ghana, Ghana Youth Guide, and Rural Connect.
Mr. Abdul-Basit Abdul-Rahman, Project Lead of the Dance for Youth Empowerment Project, stated during the launch that the project is designed to support young people in reviving the tradition of drumming and dancing. As part of the implementation strategy, the Tamale Youth Home and Cultural Group will collaborate with the Ghana Education Service to engage teachers and students in selected schools by forming drumming and dancing clubs and organizing educational workshops on culture.
Upon successful implementation, the beneficiary communities will come together to exhibit the skills acquired through the project at an event in Tamale. Mr. Abdul-Rahman expressed concerns about the declining cultural practices in communities, emphasizing that the project is a strategic intervention to rekindle youth interest in their heritage. He highlighted that the project aims to foster cultural identity, enhance youth skills, and create employment opportunities.
Mr. Abubakari Iddrisu Saeed, Northern Regional Director, Centre for National Culture, described the project as a call to action for all stakeholders to join efforts in preserving cultural heritage. He noted that traditional arts could serve as viable avenues for economic empowerment. He also urged the government and development partners to support youth empowerment initiatives that contribute to cultural preservation and national development.
Miss Aisha Mohammed, Executive Director of Golden Inspire Foundation Ghana, commended the Tamale Youth Home and Cultural Group and the KGL Foundation for the initiative. She encouraged the participating communities to fully embrace the project to sustain their cultural heritage and instill pride among the youth.
