Ghana
Storytelling Helps Create Inclusive Opportunities in Ghana
CPI has launched its third collaboration in Ghana, partnering with the ANOPA Project, a sport-for-development organization based in Cape Coast. ANOPA (Agoro Ne Obra Pa, meaning “Play for a Better Life” in Twi) is dedicated to promoting education, inclusion, and personal development through sports — and now storytelling!
ANOPA’s goal is to encourage acceptance among all children, helping them see beyond the label of disability and fostering empathy rather than mere sympathy for their peers.
During ANOPA’s first session, the visually impaired children shared their personal experiences related to their disabilities and the challenges they face in their communities.
The emotional moments that unfolded were truly heartwarming; some children expressed empathy by hugging their peers. ANOPA discovered that while some children had accepted their disabilities, others were still grappling with their feelings.
The storytelling platform allowed them to express themselves and support one another.
Children With Disabilities Respond Well To CPI's Method
ANOPA works primarily with children with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
By integrating CPI’s storytelling methods, ANOPA is expanding its impact to create an inclusive and adaptive learning environment for children with disabilities.
This approach not only complements their sports programs but also fosters emotional recovery, cultural connection, and cognitive development.
Together, CPI and ANOPA are ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to participate, learn, and grow in meaningful ways.
Breaking Barriers Through Storytelling:
A Journey of Empathy and Connection
When Stories Bridge Divides
Magic unfolded during ANOPA’S first storytelling session as visually impaired children courageously shared their daily challenges and experiences. The raw honesty of their stories touched everyone deeply. Without prompting, their peers responded with spontaneous hugs and words of support – a pure, unscripted moment of human connection that left us all moved.
CPI's Storytelling Methods Helps Language Barriers
In Ghana’s Central Region, where English fluency varies greatly, we faced an initial challenge. But we quickly realized that limiting participation to only those fluent in English would defeat our purpose. Thanks to Zainab’s thoughtful script development, we found ways to make storytelling accessible to all. After all, the most powerful stories often transcend the barriers of spoken language.Through these sessions, we’ve learned that storytelling isn’t just about the words – it’s about creating spaces where children can truly see and hear each other, fostering connections that celebrate our shared humanity.
Finding Strength in Vulnerability
Some children spoke with remarkable acceptance about their disabilities, while others revealed their ongoing struggles. The storytelling circle became a safe haven where they could express their truths without judgment. We watched as natural bonds formed, transcending the artificial boundaries of ability and disability. These weren’t moments of mere sympathy – they were authentic expressions of empathy and understanding.
Making Storytelling Accessible to All
With animated gestures and a voice that brings ancient characters to life, Mrs. Susana Mariam Holdbrook – known affectionately as “Auntie Susan” – weaves the mischievous tales of “Ananse the Spider.”
A master storyteller, she captivates children with these traditional Ghanaian folktales, where Ananse, the clever trickster, teaches wisdom through his adventures and misadventures.
Through Auntie Susan’s gifted narration, these age-old stories spark imagination and keep Ghana’s rich storytelling tradition vibrantly alive for a new generation.
inclusion
Storytelling and Sports?
ANOPA has been exploring innovative ways to integrate storytelling into its programs. After each sports activity, they gather the children to discuss what they learned, making it a natural transition into storytelling!
This collaboration highlights the power of combining storytelling and sports to promote equity and inclusion, particularly for children with disabilities, aligning with ANOPA’s mission to use play, both athletic and imaginative, as a tool for societal development.
In 2020, CPI Went Back to Ghana To Build On Our 2009 Success
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, CPI returned to Osiem, a vibrant village of about 5,000, where we had previously made an impact in 2009 alongside Bismark Otchere, a dedicated local middle school teacher.
This time, the process came together seamlessly—everyone was aware of the success of the 2009 Festival, with potential challenges fading into the background.
During this second visit, our journey took a new direction as we immersed ourselves in the preservation and celebration of traditional local culture.We were captivated by the Akhan symbol “Sankofa,” illustrated as a bird looking back, embodying the significance of our cultural roots. The Akhan translation, “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind,” struck a profound chord with us, highlighting the value of reconnecting with and honoring the past.
Watching Cultural Conservation in Action
Our observations deepened during our second visit, revealing a vibrant commitment to preserving traditional local culture.
We were particularly drawn to the Akhan symbol “Sankofa,” a bird looking backward, symbolizing a contemplation of cultural roots. The Akhan translation, “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind,” beautifully encapsulates the community’s dedication to remembering and honoring its heritage.
Children actively engage with symbols like Sankofa through painting, delving into their meanings and significance.
These symbols, known as Adinkra, are intricately woven into the fabric of daily life, appearing in design, architecture, logos, and pottery.
Adinkra symbols are everywhere, with Sankofa standing out as a powerful representation of Akhan values, emphasizing prudence and a commitment to nurturing one’s heritage, even as it navigates the complexities of modernity.
In Osiem, we witnessed a dynamic culture that not only honors the past but also fosters a vibrant future, celebrating Ghana’s rich cultural tapestry.
Preserving Heritage: Osiem’s Origin Story and the Call of the Talking Drums
For the Festival, children practiced traditional dance and song. Everything came together in a large evening celebration, with nearly a thousand people from several villages gathered around a campfire.
The village king and queen led the event with grace and authority.
The crowd gathered in response to the rhythmic call of the “talking drums,” a traditional form of communication that, though fading, embodies the spirit of Sankofa—looking back to move forward.
Beyond the vibrant song and dance performances, the highlight of the day was an elder’s captivating retelling of Osiem’s origin story. The audience hung on every word, fully immersed in the narrative.
Afterward, many suggested that this oral history be preserved in writing, reflecting a deep yearning for an identity at risk of being forgotten.In alignment with this sentiment, Adinkra symbol paintings were displayed across several villages, serving as powerful teaching tools to reconnect the community with its cultural heritage.
