Overview

The Board was established by an act of parliament (Copyright Act, 2005) ACT690 section 59 (1) a National Folklore Board. The core mandate of the NFB is to promote and protect the folklore of Ghana. In seeking to promote folklore, the NFB initiates and executes plans and programmes (including the celebration of the World Folklore Day) to ensure Ghana’s folklore is put high up on that pedestal which we can all be proud of. From the colourful hand – woven Kente cloth of the Ashantis and the Ewes, to the mouth-watering tuo-zaafi meal of the people of the Northern regions of Ghana, and the stimulating dance and rhythmic movements of the Ga people during the Homowo festival; Ghana can pride itself in being a nirvana of folklore.

Vision

To preserve, sustain and integrate the legal, traditional and cultural values and practices to accelerate wealth creation and harmony for total national development.

Mission Statement

To administer works of folklore on behalf of the President and in trust for the people of the republic

Responsibilities of the Agency

• Administer, monitor and register expressions of folklore on behalf of the Republic
• Maintain a register of expressions of folklore at the Copyright Office
• Preserve and monitor the use of expressions of folklore in the Republic
• Provide members of the public with information and advice on matters relating to folklore
• Promote activities which will increase public awareness on the activities of the Board
• Promote activities for the dissemination of expressions of folklore within the Republic and abroad

Details of Activities

• Grants permission for use of expressions of folklore outside the authorized scope (use for commercial purpose)
• Monitor the use of folklore material within and outside Ghana
• Disseminates information on folklore through the media
• Promotion of dissemination of expressions of folklore

History

In the early 1980’s Model Provisions for the protection of folklore at the national level was adopted under the auspices of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These model provisions are the model privations for National law on the protection of expressions of folklore against illicit exploitation and other prejudicial actions (the “model provision”). Several countries have enacted legislation based on or at least in part on the model provisions generally as part of their copyright law.

The Model Provision does not offer any definition of folklore. However section two provides that “expressions of folklore “are understood as productions consisting of characteristic elements of the traditional artistic heritage developed and maintained by a community in the country or by individuals reflecting the tradition artistic expectations of such community.

The Model Provisions categorizes expression as follows:
Words (Verbal) e.g. Folktales, tales poetry and riddles;
Expression by musical sound (Musical) e.g. folk songs and instrumental music,
Expressions of the human body (By action) e.g. folk dances, plays and artistic forms of rituals, and in
The last category  are, drawings, paintings, carvings, sculptures, pottery, terracotta, mosaic, woodwork, metalwork, jewelry, basket weaving, needle work, textile, carpets, costumes, musical instruments and architectural forms.

The Board was established by an act of parliament (Copyright Act, 2005) ACT690 section 59 to administer works of folklore on behalf of the Republic of Ghana. A person who intends to use folklore for a purpose other than that permitted under clause 18 is required to apply to the Board for permission at a fee determined by the Board. Money accruing from the fee is to be used for the preservation and promotion of folklore and indigenous Ghanaian art (Clause 43).