Calls for vote for a traditional meal to be national meal

The National Folklore Board under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture is calling on the general public to vote for a particular meal to be taken as a national food.

The appeal comes as part of activities to mark the 2023 World Folklore Day celebration. Folklore is celebrated on August 22 every year in countries around the world.

The National Folklore Board is the statutory agency in Ghana responsible for the administration, registration, promotion and protection of Ghanaian folklore as well as the implementation of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of which Ghana is a signatory.

Folklore or intangible culture refers to ways we express our culture which includes foodways, music, dance, art, designs, names, symbols and signs, performances, ceremonies, architectural forms, handicrafts and narratives, languages or any artistic cultural expressions.

In view of the above, the National Folklore Board has submitted a dossier of Traditional Woven Textiles, Kente (Craftsmanship of Kente Weaving) to UNESCO for possible enlisting onto the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In response, the Board has received some positive feedback.

In a press statement, the Board indicates its anticipation to have the element enlisted in 2024.

Also, the Board will be submitting a periodic report this year to UNESCO on the safeguarding intangible cultural heritage elements in Ghana.

Ghanaians are encouraged by the Board to duly observe the World Folklore Day 2023 which is taking place for a week (22 – 27 August) with Ghanaian Highlife, Palm wine Music, African music, Traditional foods and wear made in Ghana outfits.

The Board is hereby appealing to all Ghanaians to participate in a simple research exercise being conducted to select one traditional meal to represent Ghana on the national and global front.

This is a medium of safeguarding Ghana’s intangible cultural heritage elements. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Board with enough information and support in its attempt to nominate one main Ghanaian meal for possible enlisting on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the near future.

"The need to protect and promote our heritage as Ghanaians and safeguard Ghana’s intangible cultural heritage elements should resonate as an area of interest to all", excerpts of the press statement reads.