Accra: The National Folklore Board has organized the second edition of its 'By the Fireside' storytelling series to promote oral tradition and language development among children. The event, themed 'Memories of Tales', was part of the activities commemorating World Folklore Day, observed annually on August 22.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event featured members of the Lododo Art Foundation, who seamlessly integrated indigenous folktales, music, and dance in an interactive session with children and teens at Vivie's Dance and Theatre Academy in Accra. Mrs. Bernice Ann Deh-Kumah, Executive Director of the National Folklore Board, highlighted the importance of folklore in shaping young minds and preserving cultural identity. She emphasized that storytelling helps impart moral values, fosters a love for reading, introduces new ideas, promotes creative thinking, and enhances language development.
Mrs. Deh-Kumah stressed the role of folklore in instilling a sense of identity, belonging, and continuity across generations. She called for broader collaboration to preserve Ghana's cultural heritage and promote social cohesion and tourism. The Board plans to continue collaborating with the Ghana Education Service to establish folklore clubs in schools and make Ghanaian folktales digitally accessible to children.
World Folklore Day is declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to celebrate the various artistic and cultural expressions of communities worldwide. Intangible folklore includes elements such as folktales, proverbs, and social practices, while material folklore encompasses local foods, clothing, dance, arts and crafts, and festivals.
Dr. Sarah Dorgbadzi Ossei, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lododo Art Foundation, underscored the need to revive storytelling and instil the values of local folktales in children. The National Folklore Board launched the 'By the Fireside' series earlier in August. This monthly event, held on the second Friday of each month, will feature stories from Ghana's regions, told in local languages to reflect the country's cultural and linguistic diversity.
