African youth urged to refrain from patronising bad foreign music

Cape Cost July 30 GNA - A Research Assistant at the Department of History of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Mr De-Valera Botchway, on Wednesday, urged the youth in Africa, to refrain from patronising " un-inspiring and disgraceful" foreign music that impact negatively on their up-bringing.

"If we do not buy such music, those musicians who produce them, would be at a loss, think twice before composing songs, and would produce healthy music for our consumption", he declared. Mr Botchway made the call when he spoke on "mis-education" at a forum to mark 'Youth day' as part of activities of Panafest, at Cape Coast.

The theme for day, which was attended by youth from the United States, Nigeria and South Africa, was, "African values; the responsibility of the youth in the 21st century".

They should rather, he said, appreciate and promote music that glorifies the African race, and stimulates one to rebel against vices like injustice and deception.

He referred to musicians like Bob Marley, Mariam Makeba, and Ghana's Ephraim Amo, who he said, produced music, which became liberation tools for the African in the struggle for equality, independence, and justice and in the struggle against colonialism. He said the youth in Ghana, must in particular, embrace music like those composed to embrace issues such as the Vice -President's campaign against indiscipline.

Mr Botchway, further urged the youth in Africa, to emulate their ancestors and safeguard their cultural values, "values, that educate rather than mis-educate", as well as find ways of salvaging African music.

"We all have to say to ourselves that from today, the totality of African music and African generated music, should be music that educates and positively entertains, and not music that mis-educates", he stressed.

Professor James Small, leader of the African-American group attending the festival, was not happy that most of the textbooks being used in African schools, were written by the "enemies of the continent", and called African writers to produce more books on African traditions and values.

He called on all Africans to come together and pull their resources in order to build a stronger continent, which foreigners cannot infiltrate, adding, "somebody who is not staying with you, cannot solve your problems for you, or properly plan your upliftment ".

Earlier, John Kwame Antwi of the 'Young black' housing club, a cultural troupe in Cape Coast, had recited a poem entitled "I crossed the bridge, I am not a slave", while the 'Etsi Kusum music and dance troupe, from Assin Kuruwa, entertained the gathering with cultural performance.