Scholars asked to help preserve values of Ghanaian culture

Kumasi (Ashanti), 14th May ?99 -

Nana Akuoko Sarpong, Presidential Staffer for Chieftaincy Affairs, has called on Ghanaian scholars to strive to preserve the values and norms of the Ghanaian culture through their writings and publications.

He observed that proverbs in particular, which form a vital and concrete aspect of language, could be put down in book form for the benefit of generations yet unborn.

Nana Akuoko Sarpong, who is also the chairman of the National Commission on Culture, made the call when he launched a book entitled "Akan Mmebusem Bi", written by Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi Ampem, Acherensuahene in Kumasi on Wednesday.

The book is a collection of Akan proverbs and the translation of such proverbs into English so as to bring their meanings more clearly to those who will want to adorn their speeches with Akan proverbs.

Nana Akuoko Sarpong stated that proverbs are crucial in effective communication in every language and have the tendency to straighten the distortions that have prevented the nation's ancient values from contributing to global wisdom.

He commended the author of the book which, he said, "will now serve as an aid to avoiding the pitfalls in our daily discourse especially as dialects are nowadays suffering too many intrusions that are contributing to the degeneration of the purity of languages".

Agyewodim Adu Gyamfi Ampem, who is also the chairman of the University of Science and Technology (UST) Council, said his motive for writing the book is to contribute to the preservation of proverbs which he described as an important attribute of our culture.

Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, President of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and a member of the Council of State, who presided, said proverbs are not the monopoly of chiefs.

They form a unique part of culture and are, therefore, at the disposal of all and sundry. "The ability to use them effectively is the hallmark of traditional purity."

Resigha Limited, a cocoa buying company, bought the first copy of the book for one million cedis.