By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, April 23, GNA – Dance for Youth Empowerment project, a year-long initiative aimed at revitalising the interest of the youth in cultural heritage, has been launched in Tamale.
The project focuses on traditional drumming and dancing, and will be implemented across four communities in the Tamale Metropolis- Changli, Banvim, Gumbihini, and Kalpohin.
It is being implemented by the Tamale Youth Home and Cultural Group with funding support from the KGL Foundation.
It was launched on the theme: “Empowering Youth to Preserve and Promote Traditional Drumming and Dance Heritage while Fostering Sustainable Community Development”.
The launch brought together key stakeholders, including traditional authorities, youth groups, and civil society organisations such as Activista Ghana, Golden Inspire Foundation Ghana, Ghana Youth Guide, and Rural Connect, amongst others.
Mr Abdul-Basit Abdul-Rahman, Project Lead, Dance for Youth Empowerment Project, speaking during the launch, said it was designed to support young people in reviving the tradition of drumming and dancing.
As part of the implementation strategy, the Tamale Youth Home and Cultural Group will collaborate with the Ghana Education Service to engage teachers and students in selected schools by forming drumming and dancing clubs and organising educational workshops on culture to help students embrace and take pride in their cultural heritage.
After the successful implementation of the project, beneficiary communities will come together to exhibit the skills acquired through the project at an event to be held in Tamale to climax the project.
Mr Abdul-Rahman said, “We have observed a worrying trend of declining cultural practices in our communities, which threaten to affect future generations. This project is a strategic intervention to rekindle youth interest in their heritage.”
He said the project sought to foster cultural identity, enhance youth skills, and ultimately create employment opportunities.
He called on all stakeholders within the beneficiary communities to support the project and encouraged the youth to actively participate to gain valuable cultural knowledge and skills.
Mr Abubakari Iddrisu Saeed, Northern Regional Director, Centre for National Culture, described the project as a timely call to action for all stakeholders to join efforts in preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
He said traditional arts were not merely cultural expressions but viable avenues for economic empowerment when properly harnessed.
He urged the government and development partners to support youth empowerment initiatives that contributed to both cultural preservation and national development.
Miss Aisha Mohammed, Executive Director of Golden Inspire Foundation Ghana, lauded the Tamale Youth Home and Cultural Group and the KGL Foundation for the initiative.
She urged the participating communities to fully embrace the project to sustain their cultural heritage and instill pride among the youth.
GNA
EA/CA