Cletus Paaga, Upper West Regional Director of Education, has called for regular organisation of cultural festivals in schools to steer the minds away from anti-social behaviours. He said the engagement of the youth in cultural activities would help safeguard tradition and encourage them to behave well. Mr. Paaga said this at the 10th Upper West Region Basic Schools Inter-Districts Arts and Cultural Festival at Jirapa on Monday that was on the theme: "Culture, a tool for peaceful co-existence". Best artistes would be selected to represent the region at the National Art and Cultural Festival scheduled to take place in Koforidua in August. He called on parents, teachers and the Ghana Education Service to teach children culture. Mr. Justin B. Dakorah, Jirapa/Lambussie District Chief Executive, expressed concern about the adulteration of the Ghanaian culture by foreign cultures and called on traditional authorities and teachers to address it. He urged them to discard the obnoxious ones that were inimical to progress and development of the people. "Some aspects of our culture must be totally abolished or refined to make them more meaningful and beneficial to our quest for progress and development", he said. Mr. Dakorah mentioned the relegation of the girl-child and women to the kitchen, the practice of early marriage of the girl-child, female genital mutilation and some aspects of widowhood rites that violate the rights and well being of women as some of the cultural practices that needed attention. Source: GNA