The Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area in the Western Region, Nana Kobina Nketsia V has lamented that the indiscriminate destruction of Ghana’s environment is as a result of the neglect we have towards our culture.
He mentioned challenges such as gross indiscipline among the populace, destruction of our lands and water bodies, and the many social vices as a sign of total neglect towards our culture.
According to him, culture is the mother of all Ghanaians and without it we are finished, in that we are all defined by culture which we have neglected and are now paying the price dearly for it.
Nana Nketsia V who made this known when the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Awal Mohammed paid a courtesy call on him opined that ignoring one’s culture was like peeling off one’s skin which makes the person prone to viral and bacterial infections.
“We forget the instructions of our ancestors. There is no agenda in Ghana that proves that we vote for corrupt people – no! People who were corrupt killed themselves. That’s what we forget”, he pointed out.
He enlightened that destroying culture is destroying your social psychology which would be detrimental to our social existence.
The Omanhene who is also a historian noted that the Western Region could not be overemphasized in the history of Ghana’s struggle for independence and for that matter certain personalities and landmarks should be identified to tell the story of Ghana and the region thereby highlighting the role played by some of its citizens.
He also bemoaned the state of the Center for National Culture (CNC) building and pleaded with the Minister to consider it as a priority project as part of his domestic tourism drive.
Dr. Awal Mohammed in his response promised to see to the renovation and completion of the Center for National Culture in twelve (12) months, and hinted that his Ministry intends to create one million jobs in the sector for Ghanaians hence, domestic tourism cannot be over emphasized.
He therefore called on the media to collaborate with the traditional leaders and help them to play a major role in empowering their citizens to take advantage of the full potentials in the sector.
Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Western Regional Minister who led the delegation explained that the visit was to enable the Minister identify himself with some ongoing project and the overall state of the sector in the region so as to strategise and improve on it.
He observed that Nana Kobina Nketsia V has played a major role in the sector in particular, arts and culture to the point of becoming a Board Chairman for the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
