Ghanaians must guard against unacceptable cultures - Naa Dikomwine Domalae

Naa Dikomwine Domalae, Paramount Chief of the Daffiama Traditional Area, has called on Ghanaians to guard against cultural practices that are inimical and unacceptable to the development of the country.

He said the socio-economic development of the country hinged on keeping in tune with the country's socio-cultural practices especially with the rapid transformation of the 21st century.

Naa Domalae made the call during the celebration of the annual 'Duuyee' Festival of the Chiefs and people of the Daffiama Traditional Area in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District of the Upper West Region.

This year's celebration was on the theme: "Our Culture, Our Heritage; the Bedrock for National Development".

Elaborating on the theme, the Daffiama-Naa cited the consistent deterioration of our cultural practice pertaining to the conduct of funerals.

"Expenses begin on the demise of a relation as the body would be transported to hospitals and deposited at the mortuary; radio announcements will be made all at a cost before the funeral finally comes and topple every family member in terms of cost," he lamented.

Naa Domalae also expressed concern about elopement of a bride, which he said was an acceptable form of marriage in the olden days as there was prior consultation between the families and the suitors before the act of elopement took place.

He said research findings available indicated that some of the girls affected in modern time fell below the statutory age for marriage and were also in school.

"Closely linked to this unacceptable discrimination against women and girls was the prohibitive dowry system which is still prevalent in some of our communities," the Daffiama Naa said.

He, therefore, craved the indulgence of all stakeholders, particularly, the traditional authorities, religious bodies, parents and the police to lead a crusade against those practices.

"These stakeholders, particularly, the law enforcement agencies should ignore pleas from offenders or their relatives to settle such cases outside court but let the law take its course," Naa Domalae appealed.