Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II, Omanhene of Dormaa Traditional Area, has advocated the strengthening of inter-ethnic marriages, to promote national peace and social cohesion.

He cautioned that values of ethnic groups should not be undermined or underrated.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu made the call at the launch of two books on Brong-Ahafo Region in Sunyani.

The books; “Champions of the Centuries, Profile of Eminent People from Ghana’s Brong-Ahafo Region and Ghana’s Brong-Ahafo Region,” and the “Story of an African Society in the Heart of the World,” were authored by Nana Agyei-Kodie Anane-Agyei, a communication expert.

The books highlight the history and culture of the Bonos and Ahafos, economic opportunities and investment potentials in the region, and description of cultural values and heritages among the people.

The books profile some eminent people and chiefs in the region, who have reached the peak of their services to the country and humanity in general.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu said the suppression of culture and traditional values of people could be a threat to national peace. He said cultural values irrespective of content should be promoted for national development.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu, however, condemned outmoded traditional practices.

He said the history and traditional practices of the Bonos and Ahafos had been relegated to the background, and advised indigenes of the region to portray their values both locally and internationally.

Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi, President of Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, said the region had 49 paramountcies with diverse cultural heritages, which could be harnessed for rapid economic growth.

He commended the author of the books for investing time and money to promote the cultural values of the region.

Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi, the Omanhene of Kukuom Traditional Area, said he was optimistic that the current peaceful cohesion among the various ethnic groups in the country would be strengthened.

Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, said since traditional rulers were the embodiment of the people, government would continue to contact them in the decision making processes.

He said the 2010 population census showed that the Region had 2.28 million people, representing 9.6 per cent of the national population.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo advised people in the region to continue to live in unity irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Mr. Anane-Agyei said it was important for the region to consolidate its position as a centre of excellence, and to utilise the abundant resources to improve the living standards of the people.

This, he said, could be achieved through the institution of an annual festival of chiefs and people of the region, and the establishment of a regional education endowment fund to support brilliant but needy students.