Renowned Ghanaian actor, journalist, and former Information Minister Fritz Baffour has stated that Ghanaians tend to focus on celebrating unaccomplished individuals rather than those who have made significant contributions to the country’s culture and heritage.
In an interview with Citi TV at a press event held on May 31, ahead of the James Barnor 95 Festival on June 6, Fritz Baffour expressed his disappointment that Ghanaians do not adequately recognize and celebrate their icons.
He believes that the nation’s focus on politics and material possessions often overshadows the achievements of individuals who have highlighted Ghana’s culture to the world.
“Ghanaians we have not celebrated our icons enough. We turn out to be more concerned about politics and other mundane matters than celebrating the good that we have…This is a great country…When you talk about Ghana you talk about the people…we talk about what we have, culture, our traditions that is Ghana, so when we have people who are highlighting that very powerful part of us, we have to celebrate them”.
“But we don’t…we celebrate fools, foolish people…people who have not achieved anything, we celebrate people who are like fireflies. Instead, people who shine the light all their lives like this man who is 95 years old and is still talking and encouraging people to do the right are not celebrated”.
Baffour emphasized that Ghanaians should celebrate those who have made significant contributions to the country’s cultural heritage, such as James Barnor, a Ghanaian photographer who was the first to collaborate with The Daily Graphic.
Barnor will be honored at the James Barnor 95 Festival in Accra on June 6, which aims to celebrate cultural heritage and artistic innovation.
The former member of Parliament for Ablekuma South also advised that Ghanaians need a sense of direction to be proud of their identity and to learn to tolerate and work together.
He attributed the country’s divisions to politics and emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating those who have made significant contributions to Ghana’s culture and heritage.
“There is so much separation in the country and I blame Politics for that…we must learn to tolerate each other and learn to work with each other”.
Born in Ghana in 1929, James Barnor opened his renowned Ever Young studio in Accra, where he captured the nation’s moment of independence.
The James Barnor 95 Festival is a celebration of his life and work, as well as a tribute to his enduring legacy in Ghanaian arts and culture.