Accra, June 5, GNA - Mr Kojo Yankah, Founder and President of the African University College of Communication, at the weekend opened an arts exhibition aimed at promoting African arts and culture in Accra. The exhibition on the theme: "Adinkra-Mother of all Symbols," and sponsored by Novotel Hotel, was also meant to encourage the public especially the youth to appreciate their rich cultural heritage and showcase them to the world.

The event provided a platform for artists to diversify their work and explore new techniques of packaging their products to meet the expectation of tourists.

Explaining the importance of art, and various aspects of Adinkra, Mr Yankah said: "This exhibition should inspire us and elevate the creative energies of all artists who have sustained our heritage in diverse ways. "Where would we be if our painters, craftsmen and artists had not kept the design aloft through various forms of interpretation? "We have every duty to celebrate our art works and encourage our artists," he added.

Mr Yankah said Adinkra was originally produced by the Gyaaman clan of the Brong Ahafo Region in the 16th Century. He said the symbol was also linked to one Nana Kofi Adinkra who was captured in a war with the Asantes in the 19th Century, when he tried to plagiarise the Golden Stool of the Asante Kingdom.

Mr Yankah said according to legend Nana Adinkra who was seized on the orders of the then Asantehene Nana Osei Bonsu-Panyin wore a patterned cloth, which was interpreted as a way of expressing his sorrow at being taken away by the Asantes.

He said Nana Adinkra was killed while his kingdom was annexed to the Asante Kingdom, but the patterns in his cloth were copied by Asante painters, and became symbols of departure and grief. Mr Yankah said Nana Adinkra's cloth revealed the knowledge of the special ink used in printing it called "Adinkra Aduro", which gave birth to the practice of stamping the designs onto cotton fabrics. He said:" Adinkra today undoubtedly continue to remain the mother of all symbols."

The two artists who mounted the exhibition; Mr Patrick Baafi and Odei Nyamekye expressed their gratitude to Novotel Hotel Management for sponsoring the programme which they said would encourage the youth to unearth their talents in art and culture.