Chief of Akuapem Mamfe, Osabarima Ansah Sasraku III, urges traditional leaders in Ghana to modify certain cultural beliefs deemed outdated to align with present circumstances.
This plea follows reports of traditional leaders in Brekum ordering the closure of a livestock farm facility valued at 5 million cedis due to adherence to cultural beliefs.
The Semanhyia Learning and Development Farms located in Berekum Senase, faced unexpected setbacks as the nananom (traditional leaders) enforced a closure, citing a historic taboo against rearing live goats in Berekum lands.
Osabarima Ansah Sasraku III stressed on the importance of reevaluating cultural practices, sharing how he, as Chief of Mamfe, lifted an old age taboo on eating foods made with corn on Mondays in his traditional area, emphasizing the need for cultural modifications.
Osabarima Ansah Sasraku III acknowledged that taboos were instituted by forefathers based on the circumstances prevailing at that time but suggests that some may not be applicable in modern times.
“Our festival originally was supposed to start in December when we place a ban on noise making and drumming but this is a period we celebrate Christmas and New Year festivity so as leaders we decided to perform rite to ask nananom waive the ban for the Christian community to also have time and freedom to worship. So after that we placed a ban on noise making”. Chief of Akuapem Mamfe said.
“The prohibitions that were placed by our forefathers, we should look at them in this modern times and see if some modifications can be done so that the communities will thrive and maintain our cultures in modern times for development, or else we will be stuck”. Osabarima Ansah Sasraku told Starr FM.
This perspective aligns with a broader call for adaptability to ensure cultural practices remain relevant.
The statement was made by Osabarima Ansah Sasraku during an event where MTN Ghana donated GH₵10,000, airtime worth Ghc1000, and assorted drinks to the Mamfe Traditional Council in support of the Ohum festival celebration.
Efua Falconer, Corporate Communications Manager for MTN Ghana, explained the company’s collaboration with the traditional council to promote cultural programs and the Ohum festival in Mamfe.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
