Award-winning freelance journalist, Kofi Akpabli has launched his second book ‘‘Tickling the Ghanaian Encounters with Contemporary Culture’’ at the British Council Hall in Accra. The 142 page glossy book, is a collection of witty articles depicting the heritage and everyday lifestyle of Ghanaians.

The author is the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist for Arts and Culture and also the Ghana Journalists Association’s 2010 Best Journalist for Arts and Tourism.

Under the Chairmanship of Prof. Esi Sutherland-Addy of the Institute of African Studies, the launch ceremony saw culture at its best with the display of Ghanaian traditional dances by Ghana Dance Ensemble while delicacies such as ‘anduley’ atsifuifui and pito were served.

In his review Dr. Kwaku Boakye, a Senior Lecturer of the Tourism Department at the University of Cape Coast said the book delivers on its core mandate:  making the reader laugh and asking pertinent questions about our lifestyles while posing very important development-oriented questions.

Dr. Kwaku Boakye described ‘‘Tickling the Ghanaian Encounters with Contemporary Culture’’ as ‘a fresh breath of air in Ghanaian literature”, adding that the volume is a cultural guide, a tourist’s hand book and a hypertension- reducer all rolled in one. The reviewer said that if there is one packaged gift which sums up the essence of our Ghanaian-ness it is Tickling the Ghanaian.’

Launching the book, Nana Susubribi Krobea Asante, Omanhene of Asante Asokore Nana said it is reassuring that the new book raises pertinent issues such as the expensive cost of modern funerals. Also known as Dr. S.K.B. Asante, the Omanhene admitted that the chieftaincy institution has tried without success to check this situation. He paid tribute to emerging young writers adding that by venturing out to such unusual subject matters and writing vividly about them the author has produced a priceless legacy.

In a remark, Mr. Edward Boateng, the Executive Chairman of Global Media Alliance group of companies said unleashing the creative force of the citizenry is crucial in accelerating development process of nations. He expressed pride in the fact that the author has been unearthed by the CNN African Journalist Awards, awards programme that he helped to originate.

The first copy of the book was bought for two thousand (C2,000) by Phoenix Insurance Company Ltd. A representative of the organization, Henry Bukari said the company recognises the role of the media in shaping society and are proud to associate with the honour that the freelance journalist has brought to Ghana.

In her closing remarks, Prof. Esi Sutherland Addy a Senior Research Fellow of the Institute of African Studies said works such as ‘Tickling the Ghanaian’ offer the nation a new way of forging ahead. She noted that the essence of the new book is to allow the nation to undertake an introspection as a people.

Also present at the event were the Siapha Kamara CEO of SEND Ghana, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Professor Ofori Akyea of the African University College of Communication and Vicky Wireko Andoh of the Institute of Public Relations Ghana. In his own remarks, Kofi Akpabli said he felt it a duty, as an arts and culture writer, to examine the heritage and lifestyle of Ghanaians.