The People of Cape Coast and Elmina have been urged to nurture and grow the Pan-African-Historical-Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day celebrations into mega international events to facilitate development.
Mrs Elizabeth OfosuAgyare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, gave the advice at the launch of this year�s PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebrations.
She appealed to the people of the Central Region, particularly, Cape Coast and Elmina to take the numerous advantages the festival offers and actively participate in it to ensure its success.
The launching which was interspersed with performances from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at the University of Cape Coast and the Cape Coast Centre for National Culture, was attended by, chiefs, queens and people from the Diaspora.
This year�s celebration which will start from Monday, July 22 to Saturday August 3 would be held on the theme: �Re-uniting the African family: Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance.�
Highlights of the events include wreath-laying ceremony to honour African ancestors like W.E.B Dubois, Dr Kwame Nkrumah and George Padmore, pilgrimage to slave routes and sites, youth and women�s days, a colloquium, reverential night and a grand durbar.
Mrs Agyare noted that the influx of tourists is normally associated with numerous economic opportunities that could be harnessed to grow the region�s economy.
She said this year�s celebration marks the 21st anniversary and the 10th edition of PANAFEST.
A message from the International Board of PANAFEST and read by Nana AmbaAyiabaIII, Kontihemaa of Oguaa Traditional area and a member of the local committee, paid tribute to the founding fathers of the festival as well as stakeholders who have ensured its sustenance.
OsabarimaKwesi Atta II, Oguaamanhen who chaired the function, said PANAFEST was instituted to liberate the minds of Africans, hence the need for them to guard and preserve it, use it to unite Africans and to develop the continent.
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