“Let our heritage serve as a guiding force for national development.” – Professor Kodzo Gavua
The celebration of Heritage Month serves as a unique platform for our nation to define its roots, reflect on its progress, and shape its future development, steering clear of merely imitating foreign cultures.
This celebration encourages profound contemplation at all levels of leadership, spanning from families to political leaders, urging us to assess our achievements, reflect on our shortcomings, and chart a new course for national development.
Professor Kodzo Gavua, Chairman of the Heritage Committee and a member of the Archeology Department at the University of Ghana, shared these insights on Adekyee Mu Nsem, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu on Ahotor 92.3 FM in Accra.
He emphasized that despite enduring over 500 years of enslavement, neocolonialism, and various forms of torture, our nation has preserved its values and culture. However, Professor Gavua acknowledged the impact of adopting Western and European cultures on our lifestyle, cautioning that it has not always benefited our country.
Looking ahead, he expressed the view that, as a nation, we have often been compelled to embrace foreign cultures, affecting our identity. Nevertheless, he pointed out that despite our differences, we have united as one people, coexisting with our values and embracing multiculturalism.
Professor Kodzo Gavua highlighted the multicultural values seen in the historical existence of the people of Elmina. Over the years, this community, comprising various tribes and languages, has fostered unity through shared values in culture, language, music, and culinary traditions.
Addressing Ghana’s castles and forts, he emphasized their significance in providing tangible evidence of human history and serving as solemn witnesses to tragic events like the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Originally constructed for timber and gold trade, these structures later played a dark role in the slave trade, serving as crucial links for international relations and commerce across countries and continents for many years.
AYM Kukah
E-mail: kukahalexander7@gmail.com
