Sunyani, May 10, GNA - Mr. Alex Asum-Ahensah, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, has appealed to traditional rulers in the Brong-Ahafo Region to help highlight the rich and abundant cultural heritage in the region to attract both local and international investors.

He gave the assurance that since traditional authorities were the embodiment of the people, the ministry would continue to engage and seek their opinions in initiating programmes that would better the lot of the people. Mr. Asum-Ahensah made the call at a preparatory meeting of the 2012 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) in Sunyani. The Brong-Ahafo Region is to host the event. He said the region was bestowed with abundant natural resources including horticulture which, when properly tapped, could earn a lot of foreign exchange for the region.

Mr. Asum-Ahensah, who is the Member of Parliament for Jaman North, said even though last year's NAFAC which was held in Tamale was very successful, the tremendous contributions of the chiefs in the Brong-Ahafo Region would make the 2012 event an 93extra-ordinary". Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, said the region hosted the event in 1980 and that there was the need for the people in the region to contribute both in cash and in kind to make next year's event unique. He said since time immemorial the region had distinguished itself in the hospitality industry and was also bequeathed with numerous tourist attraction sites and urged investors to invest in the tourism industry. 10 May 11