Kumasi, July 27, GNA - Mr Samuel Sarpong, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, (MCE) has called for the deepening of inter-ethnic cooperation and cultural consciousness among Africans all over the world.

"We can only assert our dignity as a distinctive class of people from a common stock, through a resolute and a firm adherence to our cultural values and belief systems, which have always kept pace with the ever-changing technological advancement."

A statement issued by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) said Mr Sarpong made the call in a goodwill message he delivered on behalf of the government at this year's celebration of the National Black and Arts Festival held in Atlanta, United States (US).

More than 10,000 people, largely of Africa descent from all over the world, participated in the event at the Centennial Olympic Park.

The week-long festival among other things involved arts and crafts exhibition, music and lectures.

The MCE said humanity, whether black or white, "is of one origin and ancestry and it, therefore, behoves Africans to assume their proper roles in the mainstream of global affairs for due recognition and status to be accorded them in the comity of nations."

Mr Sarpong expressed grave concern over the rate at which the influx of non-African cultures had been allowed to adulterate that of the black and said if the trend continued Africans stood the risk of predisposing themselves to cultural identity crisis.

"It is time black communities subject their cultural resources to good management practices to earn the admiration of the world in terms of economic values and social respect," he added