Seek authorization before using Adinkra symbols – National Folklore Board

The National Folklore Board is admonishing the general public to desist from the usage of artefacts of folklore for commercial purposes without authorization from the board.

In a press statement released by the board mandated by law to protect and promote Ghana’s folklore for and on behalf of the President of Ghana and copied to ABC News Ghana, the board noted that its attention has been drawn to the illicit use of Ghana’s folklore in manners that violate laws that govern folklore usages.

According to the board, culprits of the said act range from local individuals and firms to international companies who have been using Ghana’s artefacts of folklore outside the accepted customary usage.

The board is therefore announcing to the general public that the usage of folklore artefacts including kente, Adinkra symbols, music, dance, art, performances etc for corporate branding, promotional and commercial purposes require an authorization by the board according to Section 64 of Act 690.

The statement adds that the board offers this permission at a fee determined by the board.

According to the release, users of folklore who are without the prerequisite authorization are entreated to avail themselves to the board for the necessary documentation before legal actions are taken against them.

The statement again assures that the purpose of this exercise is to provide the platform for Ghanaians to protect our cultural heritage in the form of folklores from wrong usages and denigration of our symbols and culture as it has been witnessed in a popular American series in which there was an invocation of Kwaku Ananse as a spirit.

Read the full statement below: