Tamale, Nov. 28, GNA - Mr. Alexander Asum-Ahensah, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, has announced that the Brong Ahafo Region would host the next biannual rotational National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) in 2012.

He said preparatory work towards 2012 NAFAC would commence immediately to enable the political and traditional leadership with the people of Brong Ahafo Region to prepare adequately for another successful event. Mr. Asum-Ahensah made the announcement in Tamale in the Northern Region at the weekend at the closing ceremony of the 2010 NAFAC, which exhibited many cultural performances from the 10 regions of the country. The weeklong festival was celebrated on the theme: "NAFAC - Promoting Unity, Technology and Wealth Creation for a Better Ghana; the role of the youth in nation building".

The Sector Minister expressed gratitude to the people of the Northern Region for the peaceful atmosphere and good hospitality with which they hosted the event, saying that, "all participants deserve commendation for their invaluable contributions towards the success of 2010 NAFAC." Mr. Asum-Ahensah said the various cultural displays at the event indicated that the country's cultural heritage were still active, promising that the Government would pursue policies to ensure their preservation. He said the Ministry would continue to pursue development and job creation activities as the focus of the festival saying, "Let us continue to strengthen the bond of cooperation and collaboration between us and design effective structures of the festival at the grassroots".

He commended the artists who displayed their wares for their ingenuity and creativity but advised them to pay attention to the quality of the finishing of their products to be able to compete favourably with other creative goods from other countries.

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, expressed gratitude for the successful hosting of the festival in a sustained peaceful atmosphere contrary to perceptions that the region was not peaceful. He said due to the prevailing peace in the region, the region had successfully hosted several national events, including, the Farmer's Day and the annual conferences of the Medical and Dental Association, the Ghana Bar Association, and the Ghana Commercial Bank. 28 Nov. 10