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British Group Clears The Air : We Never Intended To Go Home, Says Director

Mon, 15 Sep 1997 Source: --

Cape Coast (Western Region), 5 Sept., Mr. Paul Anderson, Manager of 'Brekete', one of the two performing groups representing Britain at Panafest '97, yesterday denied rumours that his band has boycotted the festival because it is dissatisfied with the reception in Cape Coast. Brekete, a 20-member-strong drum and dance ensemble from England arrived last weekend to participate in Panafest but had initial problems with accommodation which has since been resolved. Mr. Anderson told journalists at a news briefing in Cape Coast to clarify issues, that at no point did his band ''pack bag and baggage'' to return to Britain as the rumours have it. ''I must admit that there was a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding which may have stirred up a feeling of leaving. But it has never been our intention to leave Panafest'', Mr. Anderson said. He said his group and Panafest authorities misunderstood each other in their invitational communication, boarding and other requirements like transportation. Mr. Anderson said it was only upon the band's arrival in Cape Coast, that it realised that unlike previous festivals, the Panafest secretariat was not responsible for sponsoring any group and that all performing artistes are either paying for their participation or are sponsored by international agencies through their own arrangements. Mr. Anderson said the group had an initial problem but has since been accommodated at the Panafest Village (Valco Hall, University of Cape Coast) where most artistes and Panafest participants are lodging. ''It is simply not true that Brekete has left. We are very much a part of the Panafest '97 story. We had our first performance at Panafest on Tuesday and we are eagerly waiting for our next listing tomorrow (Friday night)''. The band leader Henry Boyefio, told journalists that members of the group are very happy to be at Panafest ''and we do hope that our participation will help advance the quality of the Panafest festival''. Both manager and band leader think that Panafest 97 is a considerable improvement on the last two editions of the festival. ''We think this success is largely due to the localisation of the festival which has introduced proximity to programme venues. Panafest is still embryonic. There is still room for improvement and we expect that Panafest '99 will be an improvement on '97".

Cape Coast (Western Region), 5 Sept., Mr. Paul Anderson, Manager of 'Brekete', one of the two performing groups representing Britain at Panafest '97, yesterday denied rumours that his band has boycotted the festival because it is dissatisfied with the reception in Cape Coast. Brekete, a 20-member-strong drum and dance ensemble from England arrived last weekend to participate in Panafest but had initial problems with accommodation which has since been resolved. Mr. Anderson told journalists at a news briefing in Cape Coast to clarify issues, that at no point did his band ''pack bag and baggage'' to return to Britain as the rumours have it. ''I must admit that there was a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding which may have stirred up a feeling of leaving. But it has never been our intention to leave Panafest'', Mr. Anderson said. He said his group and Panafest authorities misunderstood each other in their invitational communication, boarding and other requirements like transportation. Mr. Anderson said it was only upon the band's arrival in Cape Coast, that it realised that unlike previous festivals, the Panafest secretariat was not responsible for sponsoring any group and that all performing artistes are either paying for their participation or are sponsored by international agencies through their own arrangements. Mr. Anderson said the group had an initial problem but has since been accommodated at the Panafest Village (Valco Hall, University of Cape Coast) where most artistes and Panafest participants are lodging. ''It is simply not true that Brekete has left. We are very much a part of the Panafest '97 story. We had our first performance at Panafest on Tuesday and we are eagerly waiting for our next listing tomorrow (Friday night)''. The band leader Henry Boyefio, told journalists that members of the group are very happy to be at Panafest ''and we do hope that our participation will help advance the quality of the Panafest festival''. Both manager and band leader think that Panafest 97 is a considerable improvement on the last two editions of the festival. ''We think this success is largely due to the localisation of the festival which has introduced proximity to programme venues. Panafest is still embryonic. There is still room for improvement and we expect that Panafest '99 will be an improvement on '97".

Source: --