Accra: Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has officially launched the ‘Ananse Heritage Project’ in Accra. The project is a cultural initiative designed to revive Ghana’s folklore legend, ‘Kweku Ananse’, through animation, digital storytelling, and modern creative education. The launch took place under the theme: ‘Reviving Ghana’s Timeless Folklore Legend Kweku Ananse as a Catalyst for Cultural and Educational Transformation.’
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Gomashie described the project as a significant step towards reconnecting Ghanaian youth with the nation’s folklore traditions through innovative and accessible mediums. She emphasized that Ananse stories are not merely entertainment but serve as powerful moral and educational tools that have imparted lessons in wisdom, patience, cleverness, and community values for generations.
The Minister also paid tribute to the late Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, for her pioneering role in promoting folklore through the ‘By the Fireside’ series, which played a crucial role in preserving Ghanaian storytelling traditions. Madam Gomashie commended Parables Animation Studio for leading the initiative, noting that their vision to modernize folklore through animation aligns with the Ministry’s mission to promote Ghana’s identity and creative economy.
According to her, the Ananse Heritage Project is expected to bridge the gap between tradition and technology, showcasing how cultural preservation can coexist with innovation to engage the youth of today. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing the creative sector through initiatives such as the Creative Arts Fund.
Mr. Cycil Jones Abban, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Parables Animation Studio, outlined the project’s components, which include public education, content creation, digital distribution, and capacity-building workshops. He indicated that the initiative aims to preserve Ghana’s storytelling traditions while equipping young creators with the skills necessary to tell local stories for global audiences.
Mr. Abban expressed concern over the growing influence of foreign media on Ghanaian children, highlighting the need to make local folklore accessible and appealing through digital platforms. The event also featured an exhibition of animated folklore visuals, symbolizing the fusion of heritage and innovation that defines the Ananse Heritage Project.