The Deaf To Participate In PANAFEST

Accra, Aug. 15, - The deaf will participate in this year's Pan African Historical Theatre Festival, PANAFEST '97, scheduled for Cape Coast, Elmina and Accra from August 29 to September seven. Three schools of the deaf - Accra, Cape Coast and Sekondi - have been selected to perform in drumming and dancing, sign singing, bazaar and exhibition of arts and handicrafts on the sixth day of the festival. Mr Edward Baiden, manager of Baiden Welfare Promotions, a non- governmental deaf organisation, said in Accra on Friday that the deaf's participation would raise awareness among Ghanaians and those in the diaspora of the problems of the deaf and what can be done to help them. He said Dr Emmanuel Ojile, a deaf Nigerian lecturer at the University of Jos, has been invited to take part in an exhibition of deaf educational materials, such as books and pamphlets. He appealed to charitable organisations for sponsorship to ensure a meaningful participation of the deaf.