A Cultural Ambassador and Abontendomhene of Adukrom and Okere Traditional Area,Nana Obiri, has appealed to Ghanaians and Africans in the Diaspora to go back to their roots to restore our golden image, as a people proudly endowed with the gifts of nature.
Launching the Sankofa Heritage Project in Accra recently, the Cultural Ambassador called upon Government Appointees, Religious leaders and Traditional Authorities including Queenmothers and the entire nation to choose Truth, Charity and Good image that our forebears bequeathed to us as a people to protect our cultural heritage.
He emphasised the need to cherish and celebrate our great historic leaders like Okomfo Anokye, the Co-Founder of the Asante Kingdom, King Tackie Tawiah of the Ga State and other great ancient leaders.
Nana Obiri Anim condemned the ‘Culture of Lies’ that has engulfed our society and stressed that Truth is the ‘open sesame’ for the development of any progressive society.
He cited great nations like China,Japan,South-Korea and Russia who upheld their cultural values and did not sacrifice their rich history,traditional heritage,language and religious beliefs to foreign mental enslavement.”Today,these countries are amongst the global superpowers”,he added.
The Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways,Thomas Mbomba,who was the Guest Speaker highlighted on the positive impact of the Sankofa Heritage Project in boosting the tourism potentials of the country, which has so far helped in the success story of ‘Destination Ghana Project’, which was a precursor of ‘the Year of Return’ and ‘Beyond the Return’ projects.
The Sankofa Heritage Project is an initiative of Queenmothers Foundation in collaboration with Majestic Entertainment African-American Foundation(USA) and Goodies Music International.
It aims at carrying out a sensitization programmeand research into the richtraditional African heritage and also encourage Africans in the Diaspora to return to their roots in African to come and develop the continent.
The President and Founder of the Queenmothers Foundation,Ghana,Nana Ama Serwah Bonsu explained to the audience, the need to launch a Cultural Revolution to resurrect our values as a nation and as a people.
The Ambassador of Suriname to Ghana, H.E Fidelia Grand-Galo,recalled the connection with local names in Ghana, which bear similarities in her home country.
Names like Yaba (Nzema), Damba (Dagomba) and Danso (Akan) are all significant in our common history. She offered her unflinching support to the Sankofa Project for its cultural significance.
The Chief Executive Officer of Asaase Radio, Mr.George Andah,in a speech read on his behalf pledged their support to the “Rediscovery of the African Heritage-Sankofa Project which he eulogised as a “testament to the enduring power of culture,a power that transcends borders,unites hearts and shapes destinies.
By Kenteman Nii Laryea Sowah
