Nsoatre, (B/A) July 5, GNA - The Okyeame to the Krontihene of the Nosatre Traditional area in the Brong Ahafo Region, Nana Agyei-Mensah says the nation's attempts at raising itself from the doldrums and seek development would remain a mirage and a mere dream if the youth on whose behalf the leaders are toiling fail to embrace their cultural values and work hard to sustain the nation's gains.

The Okyeame made the point at Nsoatre when he granted audience to the GNA to express his views on the attitudes of the youth vis-a-vis the frequent call on government and other stakeholders to assist in their empowerment.

He noted that in recent times young men and women appear to possess special admiration for virtually all Western lifestyles while at the same time most of them look down upon their own cultural values. He said that no amount of imitation could transform an African into a European and vice versa.

"In the same vein the white man can only pretend to respect the African culture if the African himself does not show any genuine regard for it," he explained.

Nana Agyei-Mensah admitted that no nation could exist in isolation hence there were bound to experience overlapping and intertwining of culture but that does not guarantee anyone to discard their own culture and customs.

He mentioned that not every aspect of any culture could be perfect but the good elements in every culture needed to be preserved. He expressed dissatisfaction over the blind copying of European lifestyles by some youth without due cognisance of their origin. He cited the current mode of dressing among the youth, notably the females as very disgusting. "Why do girls want to expose their nudity under the pretext of civilisation, what kind of civilisation is that?' he wondered.

The Okyeame however, observed that since the youth were smart and quick at learning, they should transfer that valuable talent into projecting the African image so as to enhance and sustain development on the continent.