By Hou Akot Hou
The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State (NBGS) Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports has formed an 11-member committee aimed at promoting cultural heritage and discouraging harmful practices among young people.
According to an administrative order signed by the ministry’s Director General, Peter Aguer Achier, the newly established committee will oversee the formation of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBGS)-Aweil Cultural Union, which is expected to promote positive cultural values and strengthen community identity across the state.
“The administration of the State Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports has formed a Cultural Heritage and Identity Committee,” the order partly reads.
“Therefore, I, Peter Aguer Achier, Director General, State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, do hereby issue Administrative Order No. 5/2026 for the formation of NBGS-Aweil Cultural Union to supervise positive cultures and discourage the negative consequences of harmful practices.”
The committee will be chaired by Ms. Akuc Mel Kuol, with Unam Bol Akol serving as deputy chairperson. Raphael Piol Deng was appointed secretary general, deputised by Bulis Bol Chan Wiir, alongside other executive members.
Officials say the union will conduct outreach activities across the state to encourage young people to embrace local cultural values while discouraging what they describe as harmful imported practices.
The initiative comes amid growing concern among community members over changing social behaviours among youth, including dressing styles viewed by some residents as inappropriate and inconsistent with local traditions.
The ministry said culture and sports can serve as important tools for promoting social cohesion, peacebuilding, economic opportunities, and state identity.
“Through culture and sports, Aweil culture is increasingly becoming a powerful platform for social cohesion, economic opportunity, and state identity building,” the letter stated.
It added that cultural initiatives such as the Aweil Cultural Union represent an investment in peace, creativity, and cultural preservation for future generations.
“Your local language survives when the country grows stronger and when traditions and cultural celebrations are celebrated with pride and respect,” the statement continued. “Our identity matters, and our story deserves to be told.”
According to the ministry, the union’s mission will include advocating for the implementation of youth development policies, strengthening cultural institutions at county, payam, and boma levels, and promoting collaboration with civil society organisations on cultural and social studies.
Officials also hope to use community cultural engagement programs to promote human rights, eradicate harmful cultural practices, and encourage education and agricultural development among boys and girls across the state.