President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday called on Ghanaians to denounce foreign activities and cultures that are alien, detrimental and inimical to development.
He said Ghanaian culture abhors disrespect to elders, which unfortunately is becoming very common in Ghanaian platforms including the media arena.
President Mahama said this when he opened the 2014 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region on the theme: "The Creative Arts industry and Tourism- a platform for National Development."
The programme which was organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in collaboration with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs and the Regional Coordinating Council attracted traditional authorities, ministers of state, the clergy and dancing groups from all the administrative districts of the country.
NAFAC as a biennial event that offers a common platform for all the regions to come together to display the very best of their culture and traditions.
"Ghana is enjoying the relative peace we have at the moment partly as a result of the richness of our culture and traditions."
President Mahama said the movement away from Ghanaian dishes to foreign canned foods is a worry as proven research programmes has indicated that most of such imported canned foods are becoming inimical to the health of many people.
On the external family system, President Mahama urged Ghanaians to revisit traditional systems that are all embracing and unifying as the closed family system is impracticable in Ghana.
He called on Ghanaians to be appreciative of the traditional diversity and unity that exists among all the people of the country adding: “'It is not a mistake that we live in peace even with traditional and cultural diversity, for God knows why he put us together."
President Mahama promised to avail resources that would help build and maintain traditional monuments in the country.
Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts said government is working closely with the Ministry to complete all outstanding cultural infrastructure particularly the regional centres for National Culture with active involvement of the private sector.
She promised to turn around the tourism and cultural activities that would make Ghana the best tourist destination in the African continent.
Pemampem Yaw Kagberese V, Paramount Chief of Yeji, who chaired the function appealed to government to called for frequent organisation of such programmes to ensure national unity and integration
He called for the development of tourist sites in the region to increase patronage and generate more income for national development.
Source: GNA
| Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
