Culture and heritage for development

The Governor General and Commander-In-Chief of Canada, Mr. David Johnston who was in the country for a visit has urged the institution of chieftaincy to use culture and heritage to develop the country.

He noted that culture played a critical role in the affairs of the country and that with the credence accorded it, numerous achievements could be made through its preservation and conservation.

Mr. Johnston made the pronouncement at a grand durbar held in his honour at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region where he was hosted by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

He admired the rich Ghanaian culture and emphasized the need for development also through education, particularly, in the area of science and technology, adding that Canada was ready to assist developing the Kumasi Metropolis, the Ashanti Region through science and technology.

He pledged the support of Canada to work closely with Ghana through the Manhyia Palace in transforming the living conditions of the people.

He asked the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to open up for more science-based research works and development programmes through partnership and exchange programmes with the Canadian education community.

Mr Johnston who was in the Manhyia Palace with his wife, Mrs Sharon Johnston and his entourage praised the Palace for the warm reception accorded him and expressed the wish that the relationship between Ghana and Canada never elapsed.

He praised the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, a native of Ghana for his meritorious work whilst in office and his quest for lasting peace and democracy on the African sub-region even as he retired from his post.

Nana Otuo Serebuo II, Juabenmanhene, on behalf of the Asantehene stated that the occasion has afforded both countries the opportunity to place on record profound gratitude for immeasurable benefits that the Manhyia Palace had derived from relations with Canada.

He said for the past 14 years reign of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, education has remained a key priority, and has hugely benefited countless number of less privileged people in society.

The establishments of the Otumfuo Education Fund and Charity Foundation have provided support to  many people from the basic schools to the universities with many in key professions including the bench.

He on behalf of the KNUST, he pledged the readiness to either join the Masstrich-McMaster programme or to partner with any of the Canadian universities in developing a similar programme.

He decried the situation where more than 60 per cent of the country’s forest cover had been lost in less than three decades with rivers dying by the day and expressed the belief that Canada’s expertise in the preservation of its environment and commitment to preserve the global environment showed that the sharing of knowledge could also enable Ghana, particularly, the Kumasi Metropolis overcome the environmental threat.

As part of the activities of the durbar, the Asantehene presented rich Kente cloth to Mr David Johnston who was decorated with it at that instance. Mr Johnston in return also presented gifts to the Asantehene, Manhyia and the entire Asanteman for a long-lasting friendship.

Present were the Minister of Interior, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi; the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku; the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu, some Municipal and District Chief Executies in the Ashanti Region and governmental officials.