Regional News of Monday, 19 September 2011

Source: GNA

Promote traditional music for national development – Chief

A traditional ruler on Sunday called for the pursuit and promotion of traditional music and arts in all forms, for national development.

Nana Obutu Frimpong I, Chief of Essaso in the Asamankese Traditional Area, in the Eastern Region regretted that gradual disappearance of traditional African theatre music.

Nana Obutu, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Essaso near Asamankese in the West Akim Municipality, listed Adowa, Kete, Osode, Klama, Kpanlogo, among others and emphasized the need for the revival and restoration of such musical streams.

The Chief said traditional cultural music and dance did not only entertain, but also educated, informed and moved people into activities that promote both community and national development.

Nana Obutu observed that traditional music and dance had advantage over foreign ones, because they were readily available and could be performed at a number of social functions even during power outages.

He called on the youth to acquire a decent sense of dressing so that they could be presentable where ever they found themselves.

Nana Obutu noted that traditional music and decent dressing would go a long way to help develop, promote and preserve the arts of the country and to understand the Ghanaian culture in its diversity.