Avoid over-imitation of foreign cultures

Obuasi (Ash), Nov 27, GNA- The Ashanti Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture (CNC), Mr S.F. Adjei on Thursday stressed the need for Ghanaians especially the youth to avoid over-indulgence in foreign cultures.

He observed that many Ghanaians had fallen sick because many of them had developed a choice for foreign dishes to the neglect of local dishes.

Mr Adjei was inaugurating the reconstituted Obuasi Municipal Cultural Committee at Obuasi. The committee, which is yet to appoint its chairman, has Barima Osei Agyemang, the Municipal Director of Centre for National Culture as member-secretary.

He said the country's cultural environment was seriously being destroyed in the name of modernisation.

Mr Adjei charged the committee not only to help preserve the proud culture of the area but also revive it to suit local aspirations. The Regional Director said the cultural policy of the country sought to facilitate national cohesion, co-ordination and promote the arts and culture for development under the umbrella of the National Commission on culture.

Mr Adjei asked the committee to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to develop a programme that would assist the youth to appreciate the cultural values of the area. Nana Kwame Afikura II, Fomena Akomehene who represented the Adansihene, expressed worry about the way some Christians showed no respect to traditional values and practices.

He pledged the traditional authorities preparedness to work with the committee to help preserve local culture.

Mr Edward Oduro, the Municipal Budget Analyst who deputised for the Municipal Chief Executive, appealed to the committee to work diligently to meet the cultural challenges in the Adansi area. Nana Kwabena Asante, the Adansihene's linquist and member of the committee pledged on behalf of the members, to approach their duty with devotion and commitment.