A Conference of African Traditional Leaders, to be held under the patronage of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is scheduled for 1st to 4th August, 2002 at the Centre for National Culture, Kumasi. The Conference is being jointly organised by the National Commission on Culture, African Highlights Organisation and the Panafest Foundation.

The theme for the Conference is "African Traditional Leaders- Partners in the development of Africa and the realization of the African Union." A high-ranking official of the African Union Secretariat is expected to give the theme address. The sub-theme on which distinguished African traditional leaders and scholars will make presentations include:

- The African Traditional leader and socio-economic development.

- African Traditional Systems and the Growth of Democracy and Good Governance.

Advancing the Ideals of the African Union - The role of the African Traditional Leader.

- African Customary Practices - Challenges to Development.

- Gender and Traditional African Leadership.

Being the first of its kind, the Conference of African Traditional Leaders would attract major paramount traditional leaders and resource persons from the African continent and the Diaspora. A grand durbar of African traditional leaders would climax the conference on Saturday, 3 August, 2002.

Side attractions to the conference include entertainment packages of cultural performances by the participating countries. A football match will be played between one of Ghana's leading football clubs and a South Africa side, at the Kumasi sports stadium, on Sunday, 4 August.

The Conference will be officially launched this month.