The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Okaikwei North, Honourable Christian Tetteh Badger, has called on schools, parents, and community leaders to intensify efforts toward preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage.
He stressed that the survival of Ghana’s culture depends on how effectively it is passed on to the younger generation.
Speaking at the Traditional Day Celebration under the Bridging Histories Change Makers Programme in Accra, the Okaikwei North Municipality MCE indicated that today’s increasing reliance on imported and highly processed foods has contributed to growing health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
He urged Ghanaians to return to the nutritious indigenous meals enjoyed by past generations.
“Promoting Ghanaian foods also means supporting our local farmers, boosting our economy, and sustaining our agricultural traditions,” he said.
Hon. Badger noted that the Assembly’s partnership with Bridging Histories-UK, signed in May 2025, forms part of efforts to preserve and promote indigenous culture.
Under the agreement, the Assembly plans to send a team to the UK to demonstrate traditional Ghanaian foods and games, expressing hope that Dr. Joanna M. Burch-Brown of Bristol University will support the initiative.
He highlighted the importance of traditional games such as Ampe, Piloloo, Chaskele, Oware and Alikoto, describing them as tools for building discipline, teamwork, strategy, and creativity among children.
These games, he said, offer social and educational value beyond what digital entertainment provides adding that “Learning does not only happen in the classroom alone; it happens on playgrounds and in our communities. ”
The Municipal Education Director, Mrs. Cynthia Aboni, reinforced the message, describing culture as the heartbeat of a people.
She said Ghana’s story is one of unity in diversity, shaped by ancient empires and ethnic states whose traditions continue to define the nation.
However, she warned that modernization while beneficial, has weakened some cultural practices, with children now learning more from screens than from elders.
“Our culture should not be abandoned; it must be preserved, refined, and projected,” Mrs. Aboni stated.
She urged teachers, parents, and community stakeholders to uphold Ghanaian values, respect, and communal living.
Dr. Mannan Waru, the Country Director of Bridging Histories, applauded the organizers and called for similar events to be held regularly.
He noted that the programme has revived several indigenous foods that had long been forgotten.
Mr. Samuel Mensah, Media Relations Officer for Bridging Histories Ghana, said the initiative active in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ghana is strengthening cultural cohesion across nations.
He added that technology has caused many traditional practices to fade, emphasizing the need to return to community-based cultural expression.
Representing the traditional rulers present, Nii Ayinontey Adams II, the Achimota Chief praised the organizers for instilling cultural pride in the schoolchildren.
He said the event taught pupils how to cook indigenous meals and encouraged teachers and parents to instill discipline, humility, and cultural awareness.
Nii Adams II, urged that the event be institutionalized as an annual programme.
The celebration featured the preparation and display of various traditional Ghanaian dishes.
Present at the ceremony were Mr. Francis Mensah, the Municipal Coordinating Director, staff of the Assembly, teachers, and students.
Source:onma.gov.gh
By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson, AD IIB
