Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie launches Ananse Heritage Project in Accra to revive Ghana’s folklore through animation and digital storytelling

Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has officially launched the Ananse Heritage Project in Accra, a cultural initiative aimed at reviving Ghana’s timeless folklore legend, ‘Kweku Ananse,’ through animation, digital storytelling, and modern creative education.

The launch was held under the theme: “Reviving Ghana’s Timeless Folklore Legend Kweku Ananse as a Catalyst for Cultural and Educational Transformation.”

Speaking at the event, Madam Gomashie described the project as a major step in reconnecting Ghanaian youth with the nation’s folklore traditions through innovative and accessible mediums. She emphasised that Ananse stories are more than entertainment, serving as moral and educational tools that have imparted lessons in wisdom, patience, cleverness, and community values across 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 helped preserve Ghanaian storytelling traditions for decades.

Madam Gomashie commended Parables Animation Studio for spearheading the initiative, noting that their vision to modernise folklore through animation aligns perfectly with the Ministry’s mission to promote Ghana’s identity and creative economy.

She highlighted that the Ananse Heritage Project would bridge the gap between tradition and technology, showcasing how cultural preservation can coexist with innovation to engage today’s youth.

The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing the creative sector through initiatives such as the Creative Arts Fund.

Mr Cicil Jones Abban, Founder and CEO of Parables Animation Studio, outlined the project’s components, including public education, content creation, digital distribution, and capacity-building workshops.

He emphasised that the initiative seeks to preserve Ghana’s storytelling traditions while equipping young creators with the skills to tell local stories for global audiences.

Mr Abban also expressed concern about the growing influence of foreign media on Ghanaian children, stressing the need to make local folklore accessible and appealing through digital platforms.

The launch featured an exhibition of animated folklore visuals, symbolising the fusion of heritage and innovation that defines the Ananse Heritage Project.