The Most. Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom in Ghana’s Eastern Region has encouraged collaboration between the local leaders and school authorities, teachers, learners, to ensure continuity in cultural practices.
He underpinned that Education was not only book knowledge, but learning about our culture, customs, good practices is also very important”.
“As I sat to watch and listen to the children, what was running through my mind was could there not be a kind of partnership or collaboration between the school and our traditional leaders whereby the leaders will be able to help the children, the teachers to impart these cultural practices, customs in our children?” the bishop wondered, sharing the hope that he looks forward to such collaboration.
He shared these concerns during the March 4, 2025 African Costume Day organized by the St. Joseph School Maame Krobo in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom.
According to his Lordship, it is pivotal that the children learn their culture; and learn it well, so that they could hold the fort when the elders are no longer in the scene, and eventually pass it on to their own offspring.
He was of the belief that collaboration of such nature, including cultural events like the African Costume Day, could give the custodians of tradition, not only the opportunity to encourage the children to cherish their culture, but also be able to pinpoint some defects in the cultural presentations of the children, and go ahead to correct them, and from there, the children get to learn the right thing.
Once the children begin this way, the Prelate continued, “then it becomes part of them, and they don’t shy away from their own culture, language, values. They will always be happy and willing to identify with their cultures, and the reverse is true when they don’t know it”.
He cited Rev. Fr. Saviour Darkey, the Local Manager of the School and Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Maame Krobo, who in his speech had confessed how herculean a task it was for him having to clad himself in a typical Akan traditional regalia for the occasion, the Bishop admitted that there is more to just putting on the traditional sandals and the traditional cloth.
He said “there is a way you have to walk when you wear those sandals, you can’t just walk anyhow. And you have to know how to put the cloth on,” adding that all these are important for the children to learn and know.
Further underscoring the Church’s commitment towards the wellbeing of the learners, the Chief Shepherd entreated the parents to support their wards in the school especially on occasions of this kind, underpinning that children always feel strongly motivated when they see their parents during such celebrations.
Extending gratitude to the chiefs and elders for gracing the occasion, Bishop Asiedu shared the firm hope that the cultural show will go a long way to help deepen the knowledge of the learners about their culture.
Buttressing the need to preserve the Cultural heritage and see to the entire wellbeing of the learners, Nana Enock Teye Soda, the Krontihene of Maame Krobo, representing the Chief, Guest Speaker and Chairman of the occasion, in an address, encouraged all gathered to support the St. Joseph School, to help train their children to have a good future.
He further encouraged all to cherish and deepen their knowledge about their cultures, especially the learners who are gradually losing their cultural identities.
The African Costume Day celebration which was under the theme “My Culture, My Pride” featured a number of activities including a procession through the Maame Krobo township, a Drama depicting a cultural norm having to do with strict observance of cultural days of obligation, and cultural dances, among the Ewes, Akans, Krachis, Konkombas and Dagaabas, as well as well as a South African dance, which the learners so colourfully presented. The occasion gave the learners the opportunity to showcase their various cultures.
Among the dignitaries present for the occasion were the Chief’s entourage, and Hon. Comfort Boamah, Maame Krobo East Electoral Area. Others were Rev. Fr. Bernard Kwabena Amfo, Assisting Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Maame Krobo, and Assisting Manager of St. Joseph School, Rev. Frs. John Armah Kuofie and Peter Dadzie, Assisting Priests of same Parish.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM Donkorkrom AV / Sister Communicator)
