Ananse Project Launched

Accra, Feb. 25, GNA - Ananse Project, a project aimed at bringing back to live "Kwaku Ananse" that was heard of, in Ghanaian folklore in the olden days was launched on Wednesday. The project intends to personify Ghana's famous folk hero and preserve legitimate national symbol and heritage.

Professor Kwesi Yankah, Patron of the Project, who launched the project, said the project was long overdue as it also aimed to promote the moral lessons to be learnt from the character of "Kwaku Ananse," and said even the spider Ananse is a delight to watch. He called on the Centre for National Culture, Ministry of Tourism and other government sectors to pay attention to the project. "Ghana has a culture, where we can look back to and move forward with, it is important to replace the "Tom and Jerry's, Mickey Mouse and other foreign characters on our television with Ananse stories," he said. Professor Yankah encouraged Ghanaian musicians to make use of ananse stories in the writing of their songs.

Mr Yaw Ohene-Dankwa, the project director giving highlights of the project, said one justification for the venture is the nation's Ghanaian music and culture, which is losing the Ghanaian character. He said, " The moral lessons that was learnt from these stories are gone. No wonder profanity has taken over our music." He said visitors to Ghana would be introduced to Ananse and access to information on Ananse would be displayed at a special theme park, hotel balconies, airport foyers, restaurants, theatres and conference halls.

Mr Ohene-Dankwa said PANAFEST could be a brilliant platform to further expose Ananse to Ghana, the Diaspora and the world at large. He said the project would be a good opportunity to get ideas to stock books in many libraries. The project divided in to four phases would be made up of various events put up to enlighten people about Ananse. Under phase one of the project, a competition that sought to bring out the best in artistes and painters would encourage them to create the image of Ananse in both face and body. A winner would be selected after which there would be a national launch of Ananse.

Mr Ohene-Dankwa said an annual ananse festival would be organized each year to celebrate folklore in Ghana, identifying diverse folklore through poetry recitals, songs, drama and dance. Mr Fritz Baffoe, Chairman for the occasion, said development and advancement of our country could be achieved through culture. "It is important to accentuate what is good about our culture and enjoy the positive impact of our culture," he said. Mr Baffoe noted that tales about ananse has spread throughout the world.