Nkoranza Traditional Area donate land to immortalise Luther King (Jnr)

Accra, Jan 13, GNA - The Nkoranza Traditional Council has donated two hectares for the establishment of a village in honour of Dr Martin Luther King Junior, the Black American Civil Rights Activist and Pan-Africanist.

Nana Okofo Adjapong III, Adontenhene of Nkoranza Traditional Area, announced this on behalf of the Council in Accra on Tuesday during the official launch of Black History Month celebration that would highlight the 75th birthday of Dr Luther King.

Nana Adjapong expressed the commitment of the Omanhene (Paramount Chief) of the Traditional Area, Okatakyie, Agyeman Kodom IV and that of the Council, towards efforts to immortalise the Civil Right Activist, who motivated Blacks to believe in themselves and excel in all fields of endeavour.

The weeklong celebration, is being organised by the Centre For Savana Art and Civilisation, a non-governmental organisation, on the theme: "Upholding African Values: Role of Traditional Rulers," and sub-theme: "Non Violence Is A Way Of Life."

Programmes of activities, which would be concentrated at Techiman and Nkoranza Districts in the Brong Ahafo Region and Vakpo in the Volta Region, would include the launching of a book on the life and works of Dr Luther King; Memorial Lectures and Choral Concert.

Nana Adjapong said the traditional area embraced the programme due to the fact that Bono Manso, a slave market in the area, was the stopping point for slaves captured in the North before being transported to the Diaspora.

Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and the Modernisation of the Capital City, called on Africans to copy the tenacity, forthrightness and determination of Dr Luther King to win the battle against poverty, diseases and injustice.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey called on traditional rulers to facilitate and lead the socio-economic development efforts in their localities by ensuring that the core values of society were not lost in the process.

"Traditional Rulers must be adequately educated and familiar with strategic planning and management."

Mr Goyimwole Kpodo, Director of the School of Tourism, who spoke on: Upholding of African Values", said through indiscriminate adoption of foreign values, Africans have lost time management and well-tested modes of marriage that knitted families and society together.

He said most couples were not eager to investigate the background of their spouses leading to unprecedented levels of divorce cases. Mr Kpodo advocated the inculcation of Black History in the school curricula to re-orientate the youth on the core values of Africa.