Cape Coast, Aug. 25, GNA- The Cape Coast Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr. Obotan Larbi, on Wednesday called on the youth to be proud of their culture and also portray themselves as true Ghanaians in order not to lose their African heritage.

He observed that a lot had gone wrong in the country in terms of preserving and upholding the nation's culture as the youth keep copying from the western world, particularly indecent form of dressing.

Mr. Larbi, who made the call at the launch of the 8th Biennial National Festival of Arts and Culture for Senior High and Technical Schools in Cape Coast, pointed out that any group of people without specific cultural traits are misplaced in the society and are therefore not culturally liberated.

He said education gives one the ability to reason and discern adding, one has to also accept and embrace one's culture to be culturally liberated.

The festival will be held at the Cape Coast Jubilee Park from Monday, September 6 to Thursday 9 this year, under the theme: "Ensuring peace and unity in a sustainable society through culture".

The Central Regional Director of Education, Mr. Kofi Safo Kantanka, who launched it, noted that the festival has over the years showcased Ghanaian culture.

He underscored the importance of culture to national unity saying the school's festival will help imbibe a sense of oneness with shared cultural identity among the students and that the Ghana Education Service (GES) is also interested in exchange programmes for the students where they will share ideas and learn more about other cultures.

He said the GES's policy that children from KG to Primary three, be taught in their local languages was still in force because research indicates such children perform better as they climb the educational ladder.

He mentioned that the festival will also attract tourists and thereby generate revenue for the metropolis and the nation at large and called on stakeholders and corporate bodies to join hands with the organizers, in order to successfully showcase the Ghanaian culture.

The Regional Culture Coordinator, Mr. James Essel, said the festival which is being hosted by the region for the second time since its inception in 1995, will be a success.

He said that about 900 students from all regions in the country are expected to attend the festival and that certificates and trophies will be awarded to deserving schools and students.

He said activities lined up for the festival will include chorale and sight singing, drum language, poetry recital, dance drama/ choreography as well as vocational exhibition, of variety of foods and other artifacts.

The Adontenhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, Nana Kwamina Nyimfa IX, who presided, said that the festival is very significant because of its cultural and educational values.

He reiterated calls on children to desist from copying the cultures of the Western world and rather hold on to their culture for prosterity.