The National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) 2000 has served a useful purpose as it focused on local languages, a national debate and consensus on culture and religion in national development and maintenance of peace.

Mr Ebo Hawkson, Deputy Chairman, National Commission on Culture (NCC), made this observation at the closing of the 10- day festival at Ho on Saturday, on the theme: "Sustaining a culture of peace, unity and development in a new millennium". Mr Hawkson said the NCC will co-ordinate the study of recommendations made at the festival seminars for implementation.

He said, "The details of the recommendations would be published for the benefit of policy makers, government and the district assemblies." Mr Hawkson said NAFAC 2000 has succeeded in sustaining national peace and unity and preserved the uniqueness of chieftaincy as the embodiment of unity and culture.

" We are very much satisfied with the wonderful show put up by Mamawo and women in general to address issues confronting the vulnerable group of women and children," he said.

Equally important were the skills of the youth in reviewing the contemporary political events in the country and their message to politicians to ensure peace in the country, Mr Hawkson observed.

He said despite the low financial returns made by the exhibitors because of the late confirmation of the festival and the prevailing economic conditions, the standard of their products were high, adding "there is still room for improvement to satisfy local and international markets"