3 films on Heritage and Culture in Ghana launched by French Embassy

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The Embassy of France in Ghana have officially premiered the airing of 3 animation films that were produced under the framework of the Sankofa support Project to higher education and research in Heritage and Tourism in Ghana.

These animation films encourage the promotion and dissemination of research findings on Ghanaian heritage to the general public. The film launch was made online through a webinar and live on social media. The short animation films were written and created by Ghanaian archaeology and heritage researchers in collaboration with Ghanaian animation film studios and a French animated series.

The 3 films that were shown and presented were:

1. Salvage Archaeology

Salvage Archaeology, 60 sec, by Edward Nyarko (University of Ghana Researcher – Script) and Indigene X (Ghanaian Animation Studio – Production) Information and awareness-raising spot about the importance of preserving Ghanaian heritage and archaeological artefacts. Available in English, Fanti, Ewe, Hausa & Ga languages.

 

2. Fort Amsterdam

Fort Amsterdam, 5 min, by Kojo Derban (Architect and University of Ghana Researcher – Script) and Animax FYB (Ghanaian Animation Studio – Production) The construction of a European Fort, Fort Amsterdam, on the Gold Coast (Ghana), in the 17th Century, from an architect’s perspective. Available in English, French, Fanti, Ewe, Hausa & Ga languages. Fort Amsterdam is one of the 28 Forts and Castles registered in Ghana as a World Heritage site under the UNESCO 1972 Convention for their Outstanding Universal Value. According to UNESCO: « The Castles and Forts of Ghana shaped not only Ghana’s history but that of the world over four centuries as the focus of first the gold trade and then the slave trade. They are a significant and emotive symbol of European-African encounters and of the starting point of the African Diaspora.

 

3. Begho a market town in 16th century West Africa

Begho a market town in 16th century West Africa: Begho, a market town in 16th century, West Africa, 7 min, by Daniel Kumah and Victoria Aryee (University of Ghana Researchers – Script) and Past and Curious (French animated series on archeology – Production) and Animax FYB (Ghanaian Animation Studio – Productions). A discovery of the Begho market, in West Africa, in the 16th century, through the eyes of a little girl named Kasi. Begho is a former market city, at the crossroads of several trade routes, which was occupied between the 11th and 18th centuries. As such, it is mentioned and documented in many early writings about West Africa and pre-colonial Ghana and oral tradition. Available in English, French, Asanti Twi, Ewe, Dagbani & Ga.

 

The creators of the films briefly explained their ideas and mindset behind the movies whilst the animation studios also gave insights into what the production of the films entailed. They were thankful to all stakeholders who played a part in the making of the films and also expressed their joy in sharing with Ghanaians and the world at large, stories that lie within Ghana’s heritage and culture.

The films were translated into 8 languages (English, French, Asante Twi, Fante Twi, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Hausa) to be easily accessible to a Ghanaian audience. The films will be uploaded onto main video platforms and social media and interested parties can have access to these educative films for free.

IndigenX and AnimaxFYB, the two Ghanaian studio who produced the films, were the first Ghanaian studios to be selected in Annecy’s animation film festival competition, the biggest animation film festival in the world, hosted every year in Annecy, France, respectively in 2019 and 2021.

This films were made possible with the financial support of the Embassy of France in Ghana through the Sankofa support project to higher education and research in heritage and tourism.

In attendance of the film launch was the Ambassador of France to Ghana H.E. Ms. Anne Sophie Avé, the Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board Mr. Ivor Agyeman–Duah, the Representative of UNESCO Ghana Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, partners of the Sankofa project and other high-profile stakeholders from around the world.

Watch the three animations in multiple languages by clicking on the links below to access the playlists:

 

 

Source: French Embassy Ghana

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WOJO team dance their way to victory at Destination Legon 2019

Posted By : Collins/ 1242

A group of final year business students of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) who have begun using the power of technology to market and promote Ghanaian dance as a tourism product have emerged champions of this year’s Destination Legon Tourism Marketing Exhibition, simply known as Destination Legon.

Team Wojo beat off competition from 14 others to emerge, winners of Destination Legon 2019,

Wojo shrugged off competition from 14 other groups in a battle of wits and ideas on how their respective destinations and attractions could be packaged, promoted and sold to prospective buyers and tourists. The group, Wojo, which translates as “let’s dance” in the Ga language, made a presentation which highlights the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and related tools to bring the various Ghanaian dance experiences to consumers as a key tourism component. The group has also created a Gaming App that allows users to among other things, learn ways of improving and keep clean sanitation.

Visit Wojo Dance Website

One of the Teams, Refreshing Savannah making their presentation at Destination Legon 2019

Destination Legon is the practice part of the course, Tourism Marketing that is taught at UGBS with the idea that students are equipped with skills that they can use to market destinations just like as products and services are marketed. Teams of level 400, MBA and MPhil students offering Tourism Marketing at the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship are given the opportunity to choose various destinations to design and prepare alluring messages to market Ghana’s tourist attractions and destinations to potential tourists.

Judges at the exhibition stands

Students then make a presentation of their marketing and promotion plans to a jury of experts drawn from academia and industry who determine the winner. There was also an exhibition of products from the destinations by the student teams.
This year’s, which is the sixth edition, was held on the theme, “Year of Return: Enhancing the digital space for tourism growth” and the students were expected to deploy technological tools to enhance and market their tourism products.

A scene from the exhibition stands

Speaking to www.voyagesafriq.com on this year’s event, a lecturer at UGBS, and Co-Convener of Destination Legon, Dr Kobby Mensah said once again, students had demonstrated a sense of creativity and innovation in creating new tourism products and services. “Obviously the presentations have been amazing, the students have done incredibly well and I think they have diverse ideas from the previous editions”.

A section of participants during the presentations

While commending the support of the Ghana Tourism Authority for their support over the years, he appealed for more stakeholder support and interest. “We need a formal agreement where we can actually say that right after the group presentations, the best ideas are actually synthesized and used in the tourism space and GTA are all stakeholders involved. So I’m still calling on stakeholders to come up and support this idea and tap into the talents of these young ones and I’m sure we can improve the tourism of this country,” Dr. Mensah said.

Dr. Kobby Mensah is Co-Convener of Destination Legon

Jury for Destination Legon 2019 comprised, Agbeko Lotsu, a Marketing Consultant, Abeiku Santana, ace Broadcaster and CEO, Kaya Tours, Okyeame Kwame, Musician and Tourism Ambassador, Rosaline Kyere-Nartey, Hospitality Specialist, and Ian Wardi, Tourism Ambassador.

The Panel of Judges at Destination Legon 2019

Click here to view more pictures from Destination Legon 2019.

Story by: Samuel Obeng Appah – VoyagesAfriq

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