Ve-Hoeme (V/R), March 19, GNA - Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Minister of Health, on Saturday said the effect of westernization with its associated negative ramification on the cultural and traditional heritages of the country was inimical for socio-cultural cohesion and development. He said this phenomenon was fast eroding the country's cultural heritage and traditional values, which he implored researchers to safeguard by undertaking studies to reverse the trend. Maj Quashigah was speaking at the inauguration of a 500 million-cedi Health Post at Ve-Hoeme in the Hohoe District.

The Health Post was initiated by four Ve communities comprising Gbodome; Hoeme; Agbome and Deme (GHAD) with an initial amount of 150 million cedis assistance from the Ministry of Finance, aimed at bringing healthcare delivery to the doorstep of its people.

Maj. Quashigah urged Chiefs and Queens to lead a crusade in the cultural and traditional renaissance including the repackaging of the country's rich cultural and traditional heritages for posterity, since it was a rallying point for some countries.

Dr Michael Ahedor, Hohoe District Director of Ghana Health Service (GHS), commended the communities for taking their destiny into their own hands and pledged to post a midwife and trained laboratory technicians to assist the communities in healthcare delivery.

He urged the people to practise sound environmental cleanliness, good personal hygiene and to patronize indigenous Ghanaian foods.

Togbe Dzoli VI, Senior Divisional Chief of Ve-Hoeme and Megbefia of Ve Traditional Area, said the Project became necessary because of the increasing number of patients, who thronged the old clinic, which was being operated from a single room and provided first aid services. He said each citizen of GHAD was levied a bag of cement to complete the project and appealed to the GHS to equip the facility. An appeal for funds in aid of an antenatal and maternity block yielded 25 million cedis.