Omanhene repeated urges Africans in Diaspora to use PANAFEST to trace roots

Cape Coast, July 28, GNA - The Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II repeated the call on Africans in the Diaspora to use the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation day celebrations to trace their roots.

Osabarima Kwesi Atta said this when cutting the tape to open a bazaar (African market), as part of the Sixth PANAFEST and Emancipation Day celebration at Cape Coast. It is under the theme: "Re-emergence of African Civilization: Uniting the African Family". The celebration also has a sub-theme: "Dialogue on African Tradition, African System in 21st Century".

Mr Kojo Yankah, Executive Director of PANAFEST Secretariat, asked Africans in the Diaspora to continue to patronise the festival and use it to re-establish contact with their ancestors. Mr Timothy Kemevor, Country Manager of Western Union Money Transfer, gave the assurance that his outfit would continue to sponsor the celebration of the festival.

Among items on display were Kente clothes, African handicraft, batik tie and dye and African traditional wears. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, some of the exhibitors complained that fees being charged for the exhibition stands were too high. For example they said they were paying 750,000 cedis or a stand and 1.3 million cedis for double stand.

At the last PANAFEST, a single stand cost 500,000 cedis and while double stand exhibitors paid a million cedis. Commenting on the charges, a member of the planning committee described them as "reasonable", saying the organizers took a lot of things into consideration before arriving at the fees.