The Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area in the Western Region, Nana Kobina Nketsia V has observed that the country is unable to fully harness its human potential because some Ghanaians have bleached their minds.
The paramount chief said such individuals are unable to identify their unique gifts and innate potential to develop for the good of the country.
Speaking at the maiden edition of GH Heritage Forum organised by Excellence In Broadcasting with the DAILY HERITAGE newspaper as the lead unit, Nana Nketsia said
“it takes a weak person to bleach his/her skin.
“The truth is that some people have bleached their minds so they cannot identify with their heritage in order to use it judiciously for the country.”
Don’t be a copyist
According to him, Ghana’s Heritage is so important and urged Ghanaians to be innovators instead of copying whatever they see from the foreign world, since a copyist cannot be better than the originator
The venerable chief added that, “a copyist can never be better than the originator. To be mentally enslaved is to think, talk and act everything foreign; heritage is not a material but in the mind.”
He said “when you take somebody’s past for your past it means you are finished and that is why our ancestors ought to be eulogised because our heritage is very important.”
Yesterday, Ghanaians observed a statutory public holiday to celebrate the birthday of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Meaningless holidays
Speaking at the Forum, which was part of the DAILY HERITAGE SEPTEMBER MONTH SERIES dedicated to projecting the Ghanaian Heritage, the Omanhen called for a re-think in the manner statutory holidays are being celebrated in the country.
He said it was about time Ghanaians got back to their roots and stop copying foreign culture to preserve the Ghanaian Heritage.
According to him, the name Ghana was consciously chosen and that if Ghanaians learn the African culture, “one has no reason to fear,” adding that the “greatest asset one has is the mind and therefore if we allowed our minds to be corrupted with foreign materials,” it amounts to loss of one’s pride and identity.
He added that, the heritage of Ghana does not only come in material forms, but also in thoughts and sight.
“We are moving out of our own locus and whatever locus we move in, it controls you. If you borrow from the white, you will come back white.”
Re-think
The Group Managing Editor of EIB Network, Mrs Eyram Bashan, while eulogising the Omanhen noted that rethinking history was significant and that celebrating holidays should not be a funfair but an avenue to re-establish Ghana’s lost heritage.
On his part, the Business Manager of the DAILY HERITAGE newspaper, Mr William Asiedu said it was important to share Ghana’s heritage. According to him, Ghanaians should see Ghana’s heritage as not only dancing and wearing of traditional attires, but “about our lives.”
There were great performances by Nana Assase, a celebrated poet and drama group from the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana.
Who was there?
Present at the colourful event was the Chief Executive Officer of EIB Network, Mr Nathaniel Kwabena Anokye Adisi, popularly known as Bola Ray.
Also present were Mr Socrate Sarfo, Director of National Commission on Culture, Nana Banyin Dadson, retired Graphic Showbiz Editor and a lecturer at the African University College of Communications, Dr Daniel Nkrumah, Communications lecturer at the Pentecost University, Mr Rex Danquah, founder of RICS Consult and Mr Dominic Amoah, President of Political Science Association of the University of Ghana.
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