Saltpond (C/R), Oct. 7, GNA - The Central Regional Secretariat of the Centre for National Culture has organised a festival of arts and culture at Saltpond to select artists to represent the Region at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC).

This year's festival to be held in Wa in the Upper West Region next month is on the theme: "Culture, A Vehicle for Wealth Creation". Addressing the ceremony, Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman District Chief Executive (DCE), announced that the Assembly is to establish a cultural village to train the youth in the production of artefacts for the local and world market.

He said the District would take advantage of the abundant clay deposits in the area to promote pottery and urged Ghanaians to capitalise on the country's rich culture to attract foreign exchange.

The DCE said a book on Asafo Shrines in the country would be launched at Anomabo on October 9, to serve as a guide to tourists. He urged Ghanaians to patronise local foods, which he described as very nutritious.

Mr Emmanuel Quao, Central Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture (CNC), appealed to traditional authorities to refine outmoded cultural practices to make them conform to the modern trends. He said puberty rites, which were used to minimise teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases in the past could be refined and reintroduced.

Dasebre Kwebu Ewusie VII, Omanhene of Aboadze Dominase expressed concern about the adulteration of the Ghanaian culture with foreign ones and urged Ghanaians to help to address the problem. Dasebre Ewusie said Ghanaians' attempt to adopt foreign cultures was undermining discipline in the society adding that respect for parents, elders and people in authority had been devalued. Highlights of the festival were characterised with choral music, concerts, cultural performances, food shows and display of hairdos traditional medicines and artefacts.