Teach the children native languages ….Azumah-Mensah

By Raymond Kyekye

The Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs. Juliana Azumah-Mensah, has stressed the need for Ghanaians to teach children their indigenous languages and culture, many of which have useful lessons to teach the youth.

She said by so doing, “We shall be preserving our rich cultural heritage which serves as a source of envy for people in the western world”

Mrs. Juliana Azumah Mensah deplored the attitude of those Voltarians who failed to communicate with their children in the Ewe language. “Its not only by speaking the language, we must also endeavour to visit home frequently and introduce them to members of our families

She said Research has revealed that unborn children who are three months and above do hear conversations of their mothers.

Good music which gives solace and relieves the individual of stress transcends international barriers. People derive inspiration from songs or cultural performances when the song is sung in their mother tongue or they understand the words that are implied in the song.

In an evening of songs and drama staged by the Dorgbedeawo, a choral and cultural group made up of people from the Volta Region, spectators were treated to good music and cultural performances which made them feel at home.

The introductory song Dorgedeawoe mitso, calls on Ghanaians to demonstrate their love for their motherland and be proud of her. Another song, Nunya adidoe asi mesune o, literally explains that wisdom is likened to the big baobab tree, the circumference of which the ordinary hands of the human being cannot go round.

The mission of the group is to represent the Volta region and showcase the diverse cultural heritage of the region. The group sings choral music and also performs several cultural drumming and dances which are common in the region.

In a bid to perpetuate the various traditional types of culture and music in the region, the group intends to build a resource centre where Ewe cultural activities would be taught.

The Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nkwanta, Honourable Gershon Gbediame, who chaired the function, said the Ewe language is dynamic since it is spoken in three West African countries. He deplored the attitude of people from the region who cannot speak their mother tongue, let alone making the effort to let their children learn how to speak the language.

“Every society is known by its culture and any body who fails in his culture is not……. Language is where our culture starts from so it is important to teach our children our indigenous culture,” he said.

Mr. Vincent Kaledzi, the chief patron of the group said language, if not frequently used dies, adding that the Ewe language is gradually dying. “In the past, we told stories in Ewe. Aside this, we read very interesting books in Ewe which contained useful lessons and life experiences for many to follow,” he said

*Source:

                   The Ghanaian Times                    Page 14                       Saturday, May 21, 2011