In collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Suriname, Parables Animation Studios (PAS), producers of Africa's pioneering environmental superhero animated series, has launched a mobile streaming app where both children and adults can watch animated African stories. The app, known as the KOLIKO+ mobile app, can be accessed by everyone to watch animated videos on African and Ananse stories, civic education, health, music and feature films. Users can read comic books and novels, as well as other relevant books on the app. The app also has fun activities such as colouring and puzzles which children can engage in during their leisure time.
The Chief Executive Officer of PAS, Mr. Cycil Jones Abban, who was assisted by some dignitaries to launch the app, explained that there were free and paid-for content created in Ghana and Africa on the app, which children could access. "As a producer of animation content for children, distributing the content to children is very difficult, therefore, the app offers an easy access for all children. KOLIKO+ is a wholly-owned Ghanaian media distribution platform that brings cartoon drawings to life, to tell African stories," he explained.
Mr. Abban, said the moral lessons from "By the Fireside", an educational and entertainment television programme for children, inspired him to compile Ananse stories to tell the African story. He advised parents to be mindful of the kind they expose their children to because it goes a long way to shape their lives.
During the panel discussion facilitated by V.T. Albert Tetteh the Project Director of PAS, the President of the Animators association of Ghana, Mr. Samuel Quartey, lauded PAS for constantly serving as a custodian of the African story and stressed the need for Ghanaians to tell their own stories so they do not lose their identity. "Our screens are full of foreign contents and our children have gradually believed that foreign contents are the best. Parents must put their screens on TV stations that show Africa-related contents because they are a true reflection of who we really are," he noted.
In her welcome address, the Surinamese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Fildelia Graand- Galon drew similarities that existed between Ghanaians and Surinamese people in terms of language and traditions, and indicated that she listened to African tales and enjoyed them as a child. "We used to sit by the fireside in our village to listen to Ananse stories and learn folk songs and Adinkra symbols, just like Ghanaians. Education for me didn't start in school. I benefitted greatly from the moral lessons from African stories," she stated.
In his own remarks, Dr Wale Okediran, the Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association ( PAWA) promised that PAWA will assist with the promotion of the new initiative which will go a long way in the promotion of African Literature.
Other guests at the event included: Mr. Jacobson Cudjoe the Head Librarian of the National Children's & Mobile library, Mr. and Mrs. John Hawker from Suriname, Mrs. Pebbles Parkes the Programme Manager of Databank Foundation, Mr. Foster Asempa the Assistant Headteacher of Ayikuma Methodist School among others.
'KOLIKO' is a Ga-Dangme word for puppetry.
KOLIKO+ is available on Google Play Store and App Store. Download link...
Enquiries: kolikoplus@gmail.com
This is an awesome initiative , as an animation studio situated in the Caribbean ( on the island of Saint Lucia to be specific) we applaud any effort to ensure that the legacy of our African and Afro Caribbean culture and history is secured through the medium most embraced by our youth . Animated stories and comic books create a whole new breed of story tellers and really is a powerful tool that can instill positive social , moral and environmental values . From us here at Malfinis Film and Animation Studios Inc. we say BRAVO!!!