Tema, March 30, GNA - The people of Tema have celebrated their annual Kpledzoo festival at the weekend with a call on Gas to protect and promote their culture.

The festival, which is celebrated in March every year in preparation towards the Homowo festival, was celebrated under the theme; "Establishing our culture and identity as a people." During the festival, youth groups in the community compose songs to praise residents who exhibited good character during the past year, while miscreants were reprimanded. Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse implored the natives of Greater Accra especially Tema to value their culture as their traditions were gradually phasing out. Nii Krakru stated that due to the cosmopolitan nature of the metropolis, it was difficult to fully enforce the traditions of the land, as some residents and pastors see such traditional rules as fetish.

He said it was unfortunate that such pastors often advise their congregation against partaking in festivals and cultural activities, noting that, "a nation without a culture is not a nation". Nii Adzete Din, an Asafoatse also reiterated the need to promote culture, noting that religion has influenced traditions so much that naming of babies at family houses are frowned upon by churches. Nii Din urged Tema residents to recognize the existence of the indigenous people as according to him "people still believe that Tema was the creation of Dr Kwame Nkrumah." He explained that the people of Tema were settled at Tema Manhean by the first President fifty years ago to make way for the construction of the harbour and industries.