Learned people warned against acculturation

A Professor at the University of Ghana, Legon, said the attainment of higher education must not goad people into adopting lifestyles that run contrary to acceptable cultural values. Professor Atukwei Okai, advised learned people to be disciplined and respectful despite their social or academic status, to promote peaceful co-existence between them and members of their communities. He was interacting with students who had registered to pursue a course in "African Heritage Through Literature," at the Institute of African studies, at the University on Thursday.

Prof. Okai, who is also a renowned poet, and General Secretary of the Pan African Writers Association, said no culture was superior to that of the African.

He, consequently, asked the students not to demean themselves by discarding their rich cultural heritage and accept negative foreign cultures.

Prof. Okai said: "It is important for the youth to recognise who they are as Africans, where they come from and where they must go." He said Africa would lose its cherished values if young intellectuals on whose shoulders sustainable development rested belittled themselves and demonise their own culture in the name of education and modernity.

Prof Okai said though Dr. J.B. Danquah and Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah were eminent sons of Africa among others were highly educated, they did not hide their identities as Africans.

He advised the youth of Africa to appreciate their cherish origin and strife to promote quality development for the continent. Prof Okai also explained that African literary artists represented the philosophy of the society and provided a mirror through which the people saw themselves.

He urged the public to appreciate efforts of creative writers in consolidating the ideals and philosophies that their forefathers bequeathed to them.