Ada: Madam Louisa Atta Akpoto, Chief Executive Officer of Divine Torch Foundation, has urged African women to embrace and showcase their cultural heritage through traditional African dressing rather than imitating lifestyles portrayed on social media.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Akpoto highlighted in an interview during the International Women's Day celebration in Ada that many social media lifestyles are unrealistic and cannot be mirrored in real life. She emphasized the importance of women not emulating what they see online to prevent young girls from succumbing to the pressure of living extravagant lives.
Madam Akpoto criticized the trend of wearing revealing clothing, stating it does not align with African culture. She asserted that a woman's beauty should remain discreet, intended for her partner, rather than being publicly displayed. She warned that the pursuit of such artificial lifestyles often leads young girls into negative behaviors like theft and prostitution, which hinder societal development.
She called on the Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs Ministry to support traditional leaders in formulating community laws to promote proper dressing ethics. Furthermore, she advocated for regulations to prevent children from attending late-night events that could expose them to risks such as teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Madam Akpoto expressed hope that promoting appropriate dressing would nurture girls in the African way of life, thereby preserving cultural practices for future generations. She also advised young girls to be cautious when choosing role models, stressing the importance of positive and enduring influences. She noted that some public figures, despite their marital status or fame, might negatively impact youths due to their lifestyle choices.
She encouraged young people to be prudent in selecting role models, emphasizing that unmarried women with virtuous lifestyles could also serve as positive examples. She urged the youth to focus on character and values rather than superficial attributes when idolizing individuals.
Divine Torch Foundation is dedicated to advocating for women and menstrual hygiene.