Documentation of indigenous names, key to preserving cultural heritage

Tumu, (U/W), June 17, GNA - Collection and documentation of indigeno us names, had enlarged considerably in recent years, becoming an important academic resource gaining international recognition and support. Mr Daniel Appiah-Adjei, Programmes Officer of the Cultural Initiativ es Support Programme (CISP), a non-governmental Organisation who made this known at Tumu in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region, said

the project had established the importance of the country's image as it strives to achieve its development goals.

Mr. Appiah-Adjei was speaking during the launch of a 164- page book titled: "Sissala Names and Meanings." The book, authored by Mr Chieminah Abudu Gariba, Founder and Directo r of Sissala Heritage Foundation has more than 4,000 indigenous names and meanings categorised into spiritual, philosophical, experiential, descriptive, episodic, praise and ancestral names. Mr Appiah-Adjei said the protection of one's cultural heritage and maintaining continuity of the national culture constituted an important cultural base for enhancing national cohesion.

"It also helps in boosting national unity, bracing the national spir it as well as safeguarding national unification." Mr Appiah-Adjei therefore called on renowned writers to train people

who have the desire to write. Mr Gariba said the increasing adoption of English, Arabic and other foreign names in the country are detrimental to the development of Ghanai an culture and identity. "Among the Sissala people in particular, this unfortunate developmen t had led to many identity problems," he stressed.

Mr Gariba said he wrote the book based on his inspiration and desire to reverse the dwindling trend in the use of indigenous names by Sissalas in

Ghana to preserve their culture and project their unique identity. He said the objective of the book is to preserve the rich indigenous

names of the Sissalas for current and future generations and to enable th em to have access to a repertoire of indigenous names to adopt.

The Founder and Director of Heritage Foundation hinted that civilisation could not be preserved by material means alone and called on

all Sissalas and Ghanaians in general to help preserve part of their heritage by giving local names to their children. Madam Alijata Sulemana, Sissala East District Chief Executive said t he launch of the book had come at the right time when preparations for the teaching of Sissali as a Ghanaian Language are in place. She said it was her hope that the launch of the book would motivate others to write more books in the Sissali Language to make teaching and learning easier.