Tradition is not idol worship - Santrokofi Chief

The Nifahene of Santrokofi Traditional area, Nana Saku Brimpong, has advised Ghanaians not to misconstrue traditional practices to mean worshipping of idols or evil practices, because every community was built upon strong traditions, with values that made it to grow to appreciable levels and made it possible for members of the various communities to live in peace with one another.

Nana Saku Brimpong said what was important, was for the youth to take active interest and participate in traditional activities such as installation of chiefs and queenmothers, to enable them protect and preserve the cherished values of society.

The Nifahene, who gave the advise in a speech read for him at the installation ceremony of two stool fathers, namely, Nana Opoku Minta and Dickson Komla Dankwa, and a Queenmother, Mispah Kalbry, for the Kyidom Royal Division of the Santrokofi Traditional area at Santrokofi-Benua in the Hohoe Municipality, observed that there would not be any meaningful development, if tradition is relegated to the background.

He said it had become a major problem in many communities in the 21st Century in Ghana, that many of the youth do not see the need to learn and understand the importance of traditional practices in their areas, and regard them as evil, which, the Chief described as very unfortunate, since their behaviour towards traditional practices would affect their development.

Nana Saku Brimpong noted that the situation, where they looked down upon traditions should be of much concern to all well-meaning Ghanaians, particularly, as the youth have adopted foreign cultures, which are alien to Ghanaian cultural practices.

Nana Opoku Minta, known in private life as Mr. Simon Kofi Opoku, an Assistant Director with the Audit Service at Somanya, thanked the kingmakers for the honour, and outlined his vision to help develop the traditional area.

He further said the common enemies that he would fight in the area were poverty, disease and illiteracy, and called for support.

Nana Opoku Minta asked parents to take the education of their wards more seriously, by providing them with educational materials that would aid their studies.

He stressed that the greatest legacy they could leave for their children was education, and said it was only through education that their wards would become responsible adults in future.

He, therefore, announced a sponsorship package for students at the Junior High School (JHS) with the best grades, and said he would sponsor brilliant but needy students to Senior High School (SHS).

He also noted that the time had come for students to take advantage of the sponsorship scheme, as well as the opportunities available in education, to develop themselves.