Benkasa, (Bono), July 03, GNA – Nana Agartha Kyeraa, a Priestess and Caretaker of the Benkasa ‘Ntensere shrine’ a local deity in
expressed disappointment in the lack of recognition of local deities and traditional gods in the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving event.
She said this was affront to Ghanaian culture and tradition, asking the government to render an unqualified apology in that regard, and to respect and preserve traditional beliefs and culture which were the foundation of the nation’s religious history.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Benkasa, Nana Kyeraa said: “There is no way we can change our belief systems.
Our local deities have also contributed to strengthening the prevailing peace and social unity and we must therefore appreciate that and give them the deserving recognition too”. “We shouldn’t forget that it is our local gods that have helped preserve our culture and tradition which depict our true identity as Ghanaians and Africans”.
“In fact, idol worship promotes high morals, discipline, principles and respect, because you can’t joke with idols or gods and go scout free,” Nana Kyeraa stated, saying “that is our ancestral heritage, and we can’t throw it away”.
Nana Kyeraa traced the current rise in corruption, moral decadence and lawlessness being experienced in the country partly, to the adulteration of the nation’s culture and tradition.
She stressed that there was no way the country could develop if we continue with that behaviour of undermining our local gods and deities,” because they were the backbone of its tradition and culture their neglect would be at the peril of the nation.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/ Christabel Addo