Western Region cultural festival opens

Sekondi (Western Region) -- Joseph Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Tuesday said the only way the country could sustain socio-economic development is to ensure programmes reflected its cultural background.

He was opening a six-day Regional Arts and Culture Festival in Sekondi under the theme, "Culture Development and Ghanaian Identity". It is being organised by the Regional Coordinating Council, National Commission on Culture, Centre for National Culture and Good News FM station, Takoradi.

Aidoo said this was the only way for the country in the face of the socio-economic and political challenges facing Africa especially in this era of globalisation. The country should identify an appropriate path of development based on its peculiar culture and circumstances, he added.

Aidoo said, "As a region, we should resist from blind copying and come out with strategies, which are consistent and suitable to our environment". Efo Kodjo Mawugbe, Western Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, announced that the National Festival of Arts and Cultural (NAFAC) would be held in the region next year at a date to be decided.

He said the Centre was working on a five-year Arts and Culture Development programme for the Region, which would ensure that the three major International Festivals had been held before the country's 50th anniversary in 2007.

The events include the African-African-American International Choral Music Festival scheduled for the Bethel Methodist Church, Takoradi, in February 2003 and the West African Schools and Colleges Drama and Theatre Festival, in 2005.

Efo Mawugbe said a Regional Philharmonic Choir and a Metropolitan Youth Choir for children between 10 and 12 years were to be formed, adding that, arrangements were being made for a drama group from the region to be featured on Ghana Television on regular basis.

He said a top concert party would be performing at the festival on Saturday by the courtesy of the National Theatre of Ghana and under the auspices of the Regional Coordinating Council.

The Regional Director said a Metropolitan KIDDAFEST programme would be held on 26 December in Sekondi. He urged the Ghana Education Service to encourage Senior Secondary Schools to set up clubs to make it possible for the holding of a regional students drama festival, in 2003 before the first national students drama and theatre festival, in 2004.

Awulae Attibrukusu III, Vice-President of the Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhene of Lower Axim Traditional Area, said the festival offered the opportunity for ethnic groups in the region to display their culture. Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Regional Minister, opened a bazaar and grand sales at the festival.