Mac Tontoh Catches Them Very Young

A founding member of the world acclaimed Osibisa Band of yester-years, proponents of criss-cross rhythms from Africa, Mac Tontoh, has initiated a cultural awareness programme among school-going children to instill a sense of patriotism in the youth.

Speaking to ?Spectator Arts and Entertainment?, Mac Tontoh said the objective of the second edition of ?Mac Tontoh and the kids? ? a HOT NOT (House of Entertainment)  presentation is to let the kids know they are Ghanaians educationally, culturally and instill in them the spirit of patriotism.

He said the idea is to catch them young that is why he personally went around the 16 schools drawn from the metropolis to invite them to perform and display our rich heritage.

The programme, which was themed ?Making our young ones more sensitive to our cherished cultural heritage?, was held on July 23, at the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Hall.

The Director of Basic Education at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Leonard T. Tingbani, chaired the function and represented the guest speaker, Ms Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women?s and Children?s Affairs, with the Member of Parliament (MP) for Osu-Klottey, Nii Adu Darko Mantey in attendance.

The guest of honour was Nana Twum Barima Ofori-Atta, Sanahene of Okyeman.

The children, who were resplendent in their traditional robes, enacted a variety of sketches with topical themes on AIDS, traditional marriage rites and the like after ?Happy Kids? sang ?Yen ara asase ni? and ?Nkosi Ke lela Africa? to commence proceedings. The talking drums were expertly played by, Young Raphael of Tot to Teen School.

Participating schools included Tot to Teen, Radiant Way School, The Pride of the East International, Kwabenya Atomic D/A JSS among others.

Nii Adu Darko Mantey, MP for Osu-Klottey, congratulated Mac Tontoh on the programme, adding that he has been a long-standing fan of Osibisa. The MP talked about the loss of our customs and traditions and reminded the youth that AIDS is real.

The MP said early sex is not good for children and encouraged them to abstain for a while, even though one cannot do without sex. He said as a Member of Parliament, he is an ambassador for the fight against HIV/AIDS. He presented one million cedis to ?Mac Tontoh and the Kids?.

Mr Leonard Tingbani said the theme and objective of Mac Tontoh?s HOT NOT programme is also what the GES is trying to do.

He said Ghana?s culture is at risk because of the unbridled copying of foreign values and culture.

?Hence, Mac Tontoh?s initiative to catch them young demands commendation?.

In reaction to one of the child culture ambassador?s request to revive cultural education in primary schools. Mr Tingbani said the curriculum has an aspect of culture in it and stated that BECE candidates sat for Ghanaian Culture Studies with Ghanaian language as a feature.

A founding member of the world acclaimed Osibisa Band of yester-years, proponents of criss-cross rhythms from Africa, Mac Tontoh, has initiated a cultural awareness programme among school-going children to instill a sense of patriotism in the youth.

Speaking to ?Spectator Arts and Entertainment?, Mac Tontoh said the objective of the second edition of ?Mac Tontoh and the kids? ? a HOT NOT (House of Entertainment)  presentation is to let the kids know they are Ghanaians educationally, culturally and instill in them the spirit of patriotism.

He said the idea is to catch them young that is why he personally went around the 16 schools drawn from the metropolis to invite them to perform and display our rich heritage.

The programme, which was themed ?Making our young ones more sensitive to our cherished cultural heritage?, was held on July 23, at the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Hall.

The Director of Basic Education at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Leonard T. Tingbani, chaired the function and represented the guest speaker, Ms Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women?s and Children?s Affairs, with the Member of Parliament (MP) for Osu-Klottey, Nii Adu Darko Mantey in attendance.

The guest of honour was Nana Twum Barima Ofori-Atta, Sanahene of Okyeman.

The children, who were resplendent in their traditional robes, enacted a variety of sketches with topical themes on AIDS, traditional marriage rites and the like after ?Happy Kids? sang ?Yen ara asase ni? and ?Nkosi Ke lela Africa? to commence proceedings. The talking drums were expertly played by, Young Raphael of Tot to Teen School.

Participating schools included Tot to Teen, Radiant Way School, The Pride of the East International, Kwabenya Atomic D/A JSS among others.

Nii Adu Darko Mantey, MP for Osu-Klottey, congratulated Mac Tontoh on the programme, adding that he has been a long-standing fan of Osibisa. The MP talked about the loss of our customs and traditions and reminded the youth that AIDS is real.

The MP said early sex is not good for children and encouraged them to abstain for a while, even though one cannot do without sex. He said as a Member of Parliament, he is an ambassador for the fight against HIV/AIDS. He presented one million cedis to ?Mac Tontoh and the Kids?.

Mr Leonard Tingbani said the theme and objective of Mac Tontoh?s HOT NOT programme is also what the GES is trying to do.

He said Ghana?s culture is at risk because of the unbridled copying of foreign values and culture.

?Hence, Mac Tontoh?s initiative to catch them young demands commendation?.

In reaction to one of the child culture ambassador?s request to revive cultural education in primary schools. Mr Tingbani said the curriculum has an aspect of culture in it and stated that BECE candidates sat for Ghanaian Culture Studies with Ghanaian language as a feature.