Alarming report from Ghanaian social and cultural researchers indicate that Ghanaian children are losing interest in local and indigenous cultural practices and values which is a threat to the future of the country.
The disinterest in childhood games like Oware, ampe, as well as folk stories has become a thing of grave concern to parents in the country as its effects are being felt currently, giving rise to the need for urgent solutions.
Latest statistics from the Ministry of Communications indicate that 78% of social media content consumed by children are from foreign sources.
This exposure is significantly changing how children behave socially and also affecting their language patterns where local languages are now diluted and distorted in delivery.
The effect of this dilution of cultural values has been shown in a latest data tracking in schools which indicate that 1 in 3 Parents have reported a decline in respect. This means many children in Africa are losing the fundamental, traditional value of respect for elders and parents.
These statistics and data have one common solution running through many NGOs and Civil Society Groups that deal with children; that government must institute a policy to revisit the use of traditional folktales and outdoor games in school curricula so as to keep upcoming young ones on the right cultural track.
This is backed by a study on oral literature by the University of Ghana which notes that the influx of foreign media and urbanization has created aggressive competition for children’s attention, causing the number of folktale-tellers in Ghanaian homes and schools to dwindle rapidly.
THERE IS HOPE
The cry for a solution to this rapid cultural erosion has seen some organisations and individuals patnering government to strategise programmes and events that will reprogramme the minds and behaviour of children and the youth.
One of such programmes is the up coming Kids Discovering Ghana 2026 which is slated for 8th August 2026 at the Police Social Centre near the Police Headquarters in Accra.
The programme, organised by the Kids Patriot Club, Ghana, is held every year to bring together parents and children to have fun with local and traditional games and activities while learning more practically about Ghana’s culture in every aspect of local lifestyles.
Children who attend this event will be introduced to the old traditional ways of cooking and doing domestic chores. They will also benefit from folktale or local story telling, local outdoor and indoor games as well as traditional competitions all in a quest to show them how fun and benefitial it is to acquire knowlegde about one’s cultural identity.
BENEFITS OF KIDS DISCOVERING GHANA ACTIVITIES
Apart from sitting by the fireside to listen to old folk stories, the children will also be introduced to folk music. According to socio-cultural researchers, stories such as Kwaku Ananse tales and historical legends help the children identify or empathise with the characters in the story. This teaches them about formation of behaviour and appreciation of morally accepted attitudes in their cultural settings.
Traditional folklore and stories also provide a sense of belonging, connecting the child’s identity to a wider historical collective.
Moreover, outdoor games like “piloolo” which entails racing to discover hidden items and running with it to the finishline or Ampe or skipping ropes will be in abundance to help improve the physical capacity of the children.
Medical research shows that outdoor and energetic games in the sun provides Vitamin D, a nutrient needed to reset a child’s natural sleep cycle, increasing overall sleep depth and physical nighttime recovery.
Another research states that random outdoor play usually drops cortisol levels, directly easing hyperactivity patterns and increasing the child’s focus during school hours.
There are a million reasons why your children should be allowed to participate in the Kids Discovering Ghana event come 8th August, 2026 at the Police Social Centre near the Police Headquarters. The event promises to transform your child’s cognitive abilities and reset his or her mind to acquire a positive attitude towards Ghanaian indigenous cultural values.
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Story by Jonathan Thompson
