The Tufuhene of Hwidiem in the Ashanti Region, Nana Odidwour Baah Kokroko lll, has declared that diluting Ghana’s culture to have a western semblance amounts to lack of appreciation for local culture and must be discouraged.

The chief, who was not happy about the way Ghanaian culture is being neglected, called for the preservation of the true Ghanaian culture to promote domestic tourism in the country. He also called on Ghanaians to preserve, protect and adopt moral values and standards that make the Ghanaian a unique person.

Nana Baah Kokroko blamed some of the leaders for not playing a role that would encourage the people to adopt the country’s culture, adding “the attitude of our leaders have allowed Western culture to influence the youth”. In an interview with BEATWAVES in Accra, the Tufuhene of Hwidiem expressed concern about the way the country’s educational system was inactive when it came to culture.

He was of the view that in order to encourage the people to adopt Ghanaian culture, politicians and government should also work hand in hand with the traditional leaders to promote Ghanaian culture among the people, adding that social and cultural studies should be incorporated in the school’s curriculum to enable the child learn about the country’s culture.

Nana Odidwour Baah Kokroko lll, who also expressed concern about the attitude of the youth and their way of dressing, hinted that the behaviour of the youth these days has affected the growth of Ghanaian culture. The chief, who claimed music is dynamic, declared that most of the songs aired on the country’s local radio stations are not good for public consumption.

According him, such songs encourage the youth not to adopt Ghanaian culture but that of the West. He advised that Ghanaians should encourage musicians to produce music which would educate the people to desist from acts that seek to undermine the country’s progress.

He disclosed that as a chief and a traditional leader, he has decided to use his resources to promote Ghanaian culture among the youth in his community. “I have taken it upon myself to assist various educational institutions in my community as well as sponsoring needy but brilliant children.”

Nana Odidwour Baah Kokroko lll, who is the chief executive officer of Helping Hands For The Needy Infants and Orphanages Association (HAHEFIA), stated that he was working tirelessly to make education in his community accessible to all. He noted that the association had adopted a number of children who are being taken care of in his community.