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Asantehene blames Africa's under
development on neglect of culture and traditions
Okada, (Nigeria), Nov. 26, Ghanadot/GNA - The Asantehene
Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, has blamed Africa's slow pace of
development and poor economic conditions on the neglect and
abandonment of the continent's culture and traditional
heritage of the people in its governance and development
process.
He pointed out that there was a cultural dimension that was
acting as psychological block on Africa's development and
attributed the present condition of the continent on lack of
confidence in the culture and traditions bequeathed to the
people by the forefathers of the continent.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu has therefore, suggested the infusion of
traditional institutional structures which had been
developed over the centuries into the new democratic
structures on the continent to make them more meaningful to
the people.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu was speaking at the 5th convocation of the
Igbinedion University, Okada in the Edo State of Nigeria on
Saturday, where he was conferred with an honorary doctorate
degree in law by the University.
Igbinedion University, which is the first private university
to be established in Nigeria, has eight colleges and
considered as the first private university in Africa to
graduate medical doctors. It was established by Sir. Dr.
Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of the Benin Kingdom
in Nigeria.
The University also conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters
degree on Honourable P.J Patterson, former Prime Minister of
Jamaica and a Doctor of Law degree on Alayeluwa Sijuwale
Olubuse 11, Ooni of Ife kingdom in Nigeria.
The conferment of the degree on the Asantehene was in
recognition of his exemplary leadership and promotion of
education. A citation accompanying the degree said Otumfuo
had won great admiration for his unique blend of traditional
leadership with modernity and the establishment of an
educational fund to support needy children in Ghana.
The Asantehene said in the pursuit of western democracy,
Africa should not throw away its culture and traditions and
surrender to everything foreign.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, compared Africa's situation to that of
Asia and said the culture and way of life had been the
foundation upon which the so-called Asian Tigers, had built
their work ethic and creative energy developed, adding that,
that had sustained their self-confidence that whatever,
anyone had done, they could also do and probably better.
"I suggest to you therefore understanding our past and our
culture which identifies us as a people is important for our
self-confidence and that self-confidence is an indispensable
pre-requisite for our survival in the challenging new era",
he stated.
The Asantehene said, over the centuries majority of people
in Africa have had their direct contact in terms of
governance with their traditional rulers and institutions.
This, according to him, had helped them in resolving
conflicts, maintain law and order and mobilise them to care
for their environment.
He said the condition of trust and loyalty built over the
centuries could not be replaced, adding that, they provided
a potent pathway for the accelerated development than most
of the institutions imported from foreign countries.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu, said Ghana had found a useful marriage
between tradition and modernity which was serving the people
well, adding that, Ghanaian traditional rulers were playing
crucial roles as partners in the democratic process.
He said traditional institutions remained primed to explain
to and mobilise the people behind the goals and objectives
of their leaders without the rancour associated with other
institutions.
He said the quest for Africa's development would gain
greater impetus from the commitment of the peoples of Africa
beyond the political leadership and the elite.
The Asantehene said there was the need to inspire the people
in a new belief in themselves and they must truthfully share
in the hope of a new destiny on the horizon in Africa adding
that, that inspiration could come from a deeper
understanding of the story and appreciation of the various
cultures and way of life of the people.
He said the honorary doctorate degree conferred on him would
not only serve as bond of friendship between him as the
Chancellor of the KNUST, but also between the peoples of
Asante and Benin kingdom and Ghana and Nigeria.
He commended the founder of the university for the
initiative and his quest to provide quality education to the
people to empower them to take up the challenging task of
liberating Africa from poverty, disease and other challenges
militating against its development.
Honourable P.J Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica,
on his part, said it was time for Africa not only to
emancipate themselves from mental slavery but also to seek
knowledge that would free them from the shackles of poverty
and disease.
He commended the founder of the University for his foresight
and tenacity of purpose in establishing the University and
urged the students to take advantage and learn hard to
acquire knowledge.
The Reverend Professor Eghosa E. Osaghae, Vice Chancellor of
the University, said the university had established a Centre
for Entrepreneurial Studies, which offered students a window
to life as successful creators of wealth.
GNA
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