Establish PANAFEST endowment fund – Kojo Yankah

The founder of African University College of Communication, Mr Kojo Yankah has advocated  the establishment of an endowment fund to sustain the Pan African Historical Arts and Cultural Festival(PANAFEST).

The fund, he said would help revive the festival and increase its patronage as it can no longer depend on support from the Central Government.

Mr Yankah, who is also the Chairman of the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHCT), made this proposal at a forum, held on Wednesday in Cape Coast on the theme: “PANAFEST in the tourism and economic development of the Central Region.”

The forum was attended by some traditional leaders, representatives from the Diaspora, GHCT, Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, Central Regional Coordinating Council and Central Regional Development Commission.

It also attracted officials from Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, Musicians Union of Ghana and some heads of schools and other stakeholders.

Mr Yankah called for the active involvement of stakeholders including traditional rulers, the small scale industry and the indigenous people in the festival.

He described Central Region as the heart -beat of tourism and therefore expressed the need for the area to take ownership of the festival in order to reap the benefits.

Mr Yankah, former Chairman of PANAFEST Foundation recommended a linkage between PANAFEST and other major festivals in the region like Oguaa Fetu Afahye and the Edina Bakatue festival.

The Paramount Chief of Oguaa, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II who chaired the function expressed worry that the festival is fast losing its patronage, hence the need for steps to reverse the situation.

He called on stakeholders to come on board and help save the festival.

Professor Esi Sutherland –Addy, a member of the PANAFEST Board noted that the festival is not for only people from the Diaspora but to remind the whole of Africa about its heritage and the need to set the pace for development.

She said the event should be well organised to have an international appeal.

Prof Sutherland-Addy asked hotels and restaurant operators to expose foreigners to local dishes in order to make their stay worthwhile and memorable.

The forum discussed; “The strength and weakness of the festival”, “Economic impact on Central Region,” “PANAFEST and tourism development in the Central Region” and “Involvement of all stakeholders in the PANAFEST.

Some of the concerns raised at the end of the session were that there is a need to educate stakeholders on their role in the festival and repackaging of the festival to increase patronage, involvement of people from the Diaspora in the organisation.

PANAFEST is a cultural event held in Ghana bi-annually for Africans and the people of African descent. It was first held in 1992 to promote and enhance unity, Pan-Africanism and the development of the continent of Africa by its people.

Source: GNA