Decline in cultural values in Ghana_ a case of Kloyosipklemi festival of Yilo Krobos in the Eastern region of Ghana

Abstract

This thesis examined the decline in cultural values in Ghana with reference to Kloyosikplemi festival of the people of the Yilo Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study described how the Kloyosikplemi festival is celebrated, the cultural values embedded in the festival and why the patronage of the festival is on the low ebb. For the purpose of the study the data were collected through interviews and participatory observation. The target population was limited to about 2000 people who take part in the festival celebration because of proximity and resource constraints. However the accessible population was 50 and out of these, a sample of five respondents were purposively selected which includes spokesperson, queen mother, chief, a traditional priest and a clan head or leader. The study demonstrates how the Kloyosikplemi festival is celebrated as well as the cultural valves embedded in it. However, modernity and civilization has influenced the celebration of the festival especially on the part of the Christian youth. The study recommends that private event like visiting the royal mausoleum and purification rituals and washing of the ancestral stools which were restricted to the chief and the functionaries should be made open to the general public especially to the youth to learn how these rituals are performed and on behalf of the community. This will make the youth appreciate and fully participate in the celebration of the Kloyosikplemi festival. The study however, suggest that any further research should incorporate socio cultural dimensions of the festivals in order to understand issues pertaining to the current trends of low patronage of the Kloyosikplemi festival of Krobos in general. Further studies should also explore various ways of packaging the festival to become more attractive to global society and make recommendations for the development of this potential.1