‘Teach children their native language’
The Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) of the University of Ghana, Dr Akosua Darkwa, has urged parents to cultivate the habit of teaching children their native language.
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She said, by that simple act, the older generation would help preserve the Ghanaian culture.
Dr Darkwa made the appeal on the International Theatre Day when she spoke on the theme: “The Role of women, Culture and Creative Arts in National Development” at the British Council.
The programme, which brought together over 200 people to learn about the Ghanaian culture and its significance in modern times, was organised by the British Council, in partnership with the Global Arts and Development Centre (GADEG).
She said it was generally easier to teach children basic Mathematics and good English if they had a fair knowledge of their native language.
“Our children cannot tell what exactly tea is because they do not even know that there is a difference between coffee drink, chocolate drink and tea itself”, she explained, saying that unfortunately, the parents who made their children to speak English, could not even express themselves in the language.
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Dr Darkwa said modernisation did not mean a neglect of culture.
Three supporting speakers, Professor Kwaku Armah, the President of African University College of Communication, Professor F. Nii Yartey, the Head of Dance Department of the University of Ghana, and Dr Muhammed Ben Abdallah, a Dramatist and playwright, who graced the occasion took turns to educate the audience on making culture more practical in daily activities.
