Nana Baffour Gyau Calls for Cultural Revival in Schools, Blames Christianity for Cultural Erosion
Nana Baffour Gyau, the Fetish Priest of the Asuo Pamoo Spiritual Home at Abofrem in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, has made a heartfelt call to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to revive and promote Ghanaian cultural values within the country’s school system. According to him, the growing influence of Christianity in schools has contributed to the erosion of Ghana’s cultural identity among the youth.
Speaking during the 2025 Atwima Mponua District Inter-Schools Cultural Festival held at Ahyiresu, under the theme “Cultural Education: Empowering the Youth to Preserve Our Culture,” Nana Baffour Gyau expressed deep concern over how Ghanaian traditions and customs have been pushed aside in the nation’s educational institutions. “Our culture has been removed completely from our schools because of Christianity. Today, our children grow up knowing nothing about their roots. They can recite Bible verses but cannot even mention their own clan totems or understand their traditional festivals,” he lamented.
He noted that cultural education once played a vital role in shaping morally upright, community-minded individuals. However, the current educational structure, influenced heavily by foreign religious ideologies, has left a cultural void that is affecting national identity and pride. “The same culture that gave us wisdom, respect, and identity is now seen as evil. How can that be? Culture is not idol worship. Culture is life, and we must bring it back to our schools,” he stressed.
Nana Baffour Gyau emphasized that the ongoing disconnection between children and their cultural heritage is dangerous for the future of Ghana. He urged the Ghana Education Service to develop a robust and consistent cultural curriculum across all levels of basic education. “We need to teach our children about their history, their customs, their language, their traditional leadership systems. That is the only way they will grow up respecting themselves and their communities,” he said.
The Fetish Priest also took a swipe at some religious institutions that, in his view, intentionally label traditional practices as satanic. He said such actions have wrongly stigmatized Ghanaian traditions and created a situation where even teachers are afraid to discuss culture in classrooms. “There are churches that preach against our culture. They say if you talk about your ancestors or pour libation, you are serving idols. But we cannot perform or preserve culture without acknowledging the spirits and deities that have always guided our people,” he explained.
Despite his strong views, Nana Baffour Gyau clarified that he is not against Christianity, but rather advocates for a balance between religion and cultural education. “We are not saying stop teaching the Bible. But don’t throw away our culture. Let the two coexist peacefully so our children can grow up understanding both their faith and their identity as Ghanaians,” he urged.
The cultural festival, which featured performances in traditional drumming, dance, poetry, folklore, and costume display, was part of an annual initiative by the GES to revive interest in Ghanaian heritage among schoolchildren in the Atwima Mponua District. Students from various basic schools competed and showcased their knowledge and talents in Ghanaian traditions, much to the admiration of chiefs, parents, and community members in attendance.
The powerful message delivered by Nana Baffour Gyau has since sparked renewed conversations about how Ghana can restore its cultural pride without compromising religious freedom. Many traditional leaders and educators at the event echoed his sentiments and pledged to work together to ensure Ghanaian culture remains a strong pillar in the nation’s development.
