Chief criticizes church on traditions

Koforidua, Nov. 4, GNA- The Adahene of Koforidua, Odeefour Boadi Asiedu has criticized the wrong pronouncements of some church leaders on traditions and culture, which had made some people to believe that the practice is paganism.

He explained that, such mis-information had made some royal families to abandon their leadership role in their communities because they wrongly believe that chieftaincy is another form of paganism.

Odeefour Asiedu said such beliefs had been the cause of some chieftaincy disputes in the country because some members of royal families are no more interested in becoming chiefs since they think it is in conflict with their religion.

He was speaking at the formal opening of the 4th Eastern Regional Cultural Week celebrations organized by the Regional Centre for National Culture at Koforidua.

The theme for the week was, "combating cultural practices that retard the progress of the nation"

Odeefour Asiedu observed that, the desire of many Ghanaians to be seen more like pseudo- Europeans than Ghanaians had made the country to loose many of its good cultural practices, which had protected the heritage of the country.

He observed that, when it comes to music and dance, many young Ghanaian prefer Hip- life music, which he described as "jumping and shouting," to that of the rich systematic cultural music and dance, which is a form of communication and transfer of knowledge from the old to the young.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah called on Ghanaians to do away with bad cultural practices, which do not help the nation.

He regretted that despite the government introduction of the capitation grant and the school feeding programme, some families continue to keep their female children out of school and use them as baby sitters, while the boys were made to tend the flock under the excuse that they were poor.

Mr Barimah therefore, commended District Assemblies, which had taken measures to discipline parents who refuse to take their children to school.

He said the diverse media houses in the country had influenced some Ghanaians to adopt the "Western" culture, which he said represent nothing "but pure indiscipline".

Mr Barimah said the current mode of dressing by some of the youth was unacceptable and explained that the disrespect for the elderly, flouting of school rules and disregard of authority found among the youth were all negative cultural practices which are alien to the Ghanaian.

He therefore appealed to the Centre for National Culture to use drama, films, creative arts and theatre for community development to sensitise all against harmful cultural practices. The Chief Director of Culture, Mr Kofi Essuman called for the protection of all cultural practices of the nation to protect the heritage of the country.

The Acting Eastern Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, Ms Gloria Bramson described as "voluntary slavery" the continuous travelling of Ghanaians to foreign countries in search of work.

She said if the trend was not checked, it could adversely affect the economy of the country, since it could loose all the best youthful brains needed for the development of the country.

Ms Bramson explained that the cultural week celebration, which is an affair and started by the Centre for National Culture three years ago was meant to prove that culture, has more to contribute towards national development than it was perceived.

She said this year's programme would include a debate between All Nations University and the Koforidua Polytechnic on bride price and Youth and discipline.

Ms Bramson said other activities planned for the week include concert party shows, choral music festival, traditional beauty pageant and highlife music contest. 04 Nov. 06