The deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie has asked Ghanaians to jealously guard the country’s cultural heritage.

Speaking at a press soiree on Thursday at the Peduase Valley Resort, she observed that the preservation of “our cultural heritage is important” and its “promotion thereof.”

“For as long as we let our appreciation and our desire to be like everybody else around the world, before we think of ourselves then we slow down the way in which we grow,” bemoaned the veteran actress.

Hence, she advocated a “paradigm shift” that would ensure that the “development we want to see is home grown.”

She said the governing National Democratic Congress under the stewardship of President John Mahama has been trying to imbibe into Ghanaians the sense of patriotism, and the need to uphold Ghana’s cultural identity.

She made reference to Ghana’s ratification of the seven United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conventions.

What government sought to achieve in having these conventions ratified, Gomashie said, was to create “opportunities for us in accessing funding, and also for us to share what we have with the world.”

Also at the soiree was Ghanaian Afro pop singer-songwriter, Noella Wiyaala who thrilled the gathering with her soothingly tenor voice.

The Managing Director of the Peduase Valley Resort in his welcome address congratulated the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts for the support they have given the industry so far.