Diaspora News of Friday, 24 January 2003

Source: Ghana High Commission London

Launch Of Africa Language Video

A collection of three educational African language videos produced for children of African origin domiciled in the Diaspora has been launched in London. Succumb.

The videos, produced by a Ghanaian, Ms Janet Narh, a broadcaster, represents the first serious attempt to help children of African origin and others interested in the study of African languages in Europe and Americans to have basic understanding of African languages, various cultures and traditional music.

The series illustrated and dramatised with music, entertainment and fun, feature key languages like Swahili, Yoruba, Twi, Ga and Hausa.

Present at the launch were HE Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Kwaw Ansah, a renowned film producer, Mr Tetteh Kofi, a Ghanaian media consultant, cultural attaches and representatives of African diplomatic Missions in the UK and a cross-section of children from Africa and in the Diaspora.

Launching the video, Mr Isaac Osei underscored the vital need for people of African descent to instil in their children an appreciation for African culture and values to enable them project the African personality wherever they may be.

Mr Osei said “the production, which showcases the vibrant and rich cultural diversity of African continent provides an excellent medium for the young generation of Africans to keep touch with their roots and communicate with their brethren back home.”

He lauded Ms Narh for her vision and reiterated the Government’s commitment to support and encourage enterprising Ghanaians who aspire to make positive contribution to the development of their communities in all fields of endeavour.

The High Commissioner, Mr Isaac Osei said the Mission was proud of the initiative and called on all Africans and people of African descent to patronise the videos as a demonstration of their support for the venture.

Mr Ansah said films play an invaluable role in the moulding of human minds and nation-building and emphasised the urgent need to inculcate African value systems into the young generation to enable them take up the mantle of leadership on the African continent.

Reviewing the video, Mr Tetteh Kofi, a Public Relations Consultant urged all patriots of Africans descent to identity themselves with the laudable objective of the venture by spreading the word about the video. He said “the video underscores the determination of the producer to rekindle interest in the learning of languages of Africa by all Africans.”

Ms Narh thanked all who contributed in diverse ways towards the production of the video and called for a concerted effort to promote African language and culture both within the continent and beyond.

The first set of the collection which costs ?30, autographed by the producer, was auctioned for ?120.00.