Kumasi, Aug 12, GNA - A four-day religious tourism festival dubbed, "Methofest 2003" to showcase the historic resources of the Methodist Church in Ashanti opens in Kumasi on Thursday, August 14, at the Nana Kwaku Duah 1 Methodist House.

A statement signed by the Rt Rev Nuh Ben Abubekr, the Kumasi Diocesan Bishop of the Church, said the event would be under the distinguished patronage of Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, the Asantehene. Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Mobilisation of the Capital City and the Most Reverend Dr Samuel Asante-Antwi, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church are among those who will address the festival.

The statement said highlights of the event will include a durbar of chiefs, an exhibition and a special pilgrimage to Kusa in the Adansi West District where the Missionary, the Reverend Thomas Birch Freeman was forced to take residence for six weeks before he was granted permission to enter Kumasi by the late Asantehene, Nana Kwaku Duah 1 to start the spread of Methodism.

"Methofest", it noted, would not only provide an opportunity for Christians to learn the exploits and deep faith in God by their past leaders and missionaries but significantly contribute to tourism promotion in the country. The festival would be celebrated annually, the statement said.