Mr Mark Okraku Mantey (middle) with the new board
A new Governing Board for the National Folklore Board has been inaugurated in Accra with an appeal to ensure that Ghanaians protect their folklore.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, who inaugurated the board on Wednesday, said the country needs to protect their folklore in order to help drive the country’s tourism and creative arts industry.
He was of the view that folklore played a key role in the promotion of the tourism and creative arts industry.
“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,” Okraku Mantey said.
According to him, the Ministry is committed to ensuring that the country’s folklore is protected. “The Ministry would not be able to achieve its aims if we are unable to construct the foundation, which is folklore,” he added.
He said that the board is critical in protecting the country’s folklore and, as a result, in assisting in the transformation of the tourism and creative arts industries.
“You did not just get here, it is because of what you are recognized for and what you have done over the years,” Mr Mantey said, challenging the new board to fulfill their mandate and assist lead the National Folklore Board towards success.
Prosperity drive
The Board Chairman, Professor Abdulai Salifu Asuro, pledged the commitment of the board to help drive the board into prosperity.
For him, folklore is critical to the very survival of the country. He therefore called on the Ministry to fast-track the processes of getting the national folklore policy.
Other members of nine-member board are Ms Bernice Ann Deh-Kumah, Executive Director of National Folklore Board; MsYaaAttafua, Copyright Administrator; Mr Enoch Yaw Oduro-Agyei; Mr Philip BoakyeDuaOyinka; Ms Amy Frimpong; Ms Joseph Ohene-Osei, and Ms Sarah NorkorAnku as members.
The National Folklore Board 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.
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