By Dennis Peprah
Sunyani, March 29, GNA – School children of the St Anselm Child Development Center (CDC) of the Sunyani Anglican Diocese exhibited cultural and traditional displays at a sensitization forum to mark the heritage month.
Dressed in traditional attire, the children between seven and 14 years, also prepared and showcased varieties of local cuisines, including ‘ampesi and Kontomire stew’, ‘aprapransa’ ‘nkonkonte’ ‘banku’ matched with okro stew and steamed tilapia and ‘emutuo’ and groundnut soup.
The CDC with support of the Sunyani Anglican Diocese and Compassion International Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, organised the heritage and child rights sensitization forum in Sunyani.
It further provided an opportunity for the school children to also showcase some locally prepared drinks like ‘sobolo’ and others they had prepared.
The forum, attended by chiefs and queens, the clergy, and Heads of Departments and Agencies, was on the theme: “Upholding cultural and social values while advocating for children’s rights.”
Spiced with poetry recitals, the school children stole the show and caught the attention of the audience when they performed the local ‘Adowa’ dance of the Akans, amid traditional drumming.
Speaking at the forum, Mr Duodu Bimpong, the Project Director, St Anselm CDC indicated that culture and tradition reflected the true identity of the Ghanaians, hence the need to inspire the younger generation to accept, appreciate and preserve the diverse Ghanaian cultural heritage.
Established in 2016, Mr Bimpong said the Center had 264 inmates, and appealed to corporate bodies and religious organisations to come to their aid towards the upkeep and holistic development of the inmates.
He expressed appreciation to Compassion International Ghana and the Sunyani Anglican Diocese for their continuous support in meeting the needs of the inmates.
Besides spiritual growth and development, the Very Reverend Martin Apraku Amankwaa, the Dean of the St Anselm Cathedral, said the Sunyani Anglican Diocese was also committed to improve the general wellbeing of the vulnerable population in society.
Mr Elike Dei-Zanga, the Deputy Bono Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), called for concerted efforts to preserve the nation’s diverse cultural heritage and traditions.
GNA
DEN/CA