Akosombo, June 07, GNA -- Media Practitioners in the country have been called upon to extensively report on cultural activities as a way of increasing the public's interest in acquiring knowledge on their cultural heritage.

Mr. Kwasi Gyan-Appenteng, Coordinator of the Cultural Initiatives Support Program (CISP) who made the call at Akosombo during a week's workshop for journalists said the Ghanaian youth have little information on their culture due to the promotion of foreign cultures by the media. The workshop, which was jointly organized by the CISP and the European Union was to equip the 22 participants on the need to promote the country's culture.

Mr. Gyan-Appenteng further stated that it was important to inculcate the country's cultural beliefs in Ghanaians, as according to him, it is a vital tool in the total development of the nation. To promote Ghanaian culture across the world, he observed that his outfit was preparing a database of the country's cultural activities and assets explaining that this would be achieved through the collection of inventory of different cultural practices of all the ethnic groups. He said the programme which would enable individual artists and cultural institutions to showcase their achievements would also provide historical information on the cultural practices in addition to analyzing existing cultural policies. Mr. Gyan-Appenteng further said the workshop was organized in relation to the database programme therefore reiterating his call for frequent reportage on culture, noting that the realization of the programme greatly depend on the availability of information of cultural beliefs to the public.

Encouraging journalists to be proud of their profession, he urged practitioners to desist from using the profession as a stepping stone to other professions. Dr Audrey Gadzekpo, Director of the School of Communication Studies of the University of Ghana on her part advised journalists to exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their duties. 06 June 08