By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Pusu-Namongo, (U/E), Dec. 5, GNA-The Terabuuriyele Organisation, a non-profit group, has announced plans to construct a cultural village aimed at preserving, promoting, and modernising the cultural heritage of the Gurune (Frafra)-speaking communities in the Upper East Region.
At a media briefing in Pusu-Namongo in the Talensi District, Ms Diana Asamani, the National Secretary of the Organisation, said the planned Terabuuriyele Cultural Village will serve as a major cultural landmark, featuring a museum, traditional restaurant, leisure centre, and a dedicated cultural radio station.
She said the facilities would serve as hubs for heritage education, tourism promotion, cultural entertainment, and sustainable community development.
“This is an inspiring initiative dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Upper East Region while fostering tourism, creative arts and socio-economic transformation,” she stated.
Ms Asamani underscored the urgent need to safeguard fading indigenous practices, noting that although culture shapes values, perspectives, and traditions, many cherished practices were gradually disappearing while others required refinement.
She reaffirmed the Organisation’s commitment to ensuring that future generations inherit a well-preserved and vibrant cultural legacy.
The National Secretary commended traditional authorities, national executives, local branches, and community patrons for their continuous support.
She also lauded recent interventions by the government, including the establishment of a passport office in the region and the inclusion of the Upper East Airport project in the 2026 national budget, and urged authorities to continue prioritising development in the region.
Mr Abeba Matyu Aberene, a member of the group, highlighted the significance of the project, explaining that the cultural village would host entertainment spaces, craft centres and catering units showcasing traditional diets of the Gurune-speaking communities.
He said the centre would complement efforts by museums and the Centre for National Culture to promote local traditions and boost tourism in the region.
Mr Aberene observed that even global powers such as the United Kingdom upheld age-old customs during national ceremonies, underscoring the value of cultural preservation.
Naba Paul Asaana Agoo, the Chief of Zaare and member of Terabuuriyele, also expressed concern over the declining cultural consciousness among the youth, attributing it to intermarriages and a growing disconnect from ancestral customs.
“Our children are not learning our culture. We are building this cultural village so that the upcoming generation can understand and appreciate our heritage,” he added
He said the project’s inclusion of a cultural radio station would promote local language and traditions through storytelling, discussions, and youth-focused cultural education.
The Terabuuriyele Cultural Village Project forms part of a broader effort by Frafra traditionalists, historians, and cultural advocates to halt the erosion of indigenous identity.
With support from traditional rulers, community members and government representatives, the initiative is expected to become a major cultural and tourism attraction that strengthens communal identity and promotes economic empowerment.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Linda Asante Agyei