Eight personalities and 38 organisations received awards for their contribution towards the promotion of Pan -Africanism and the successful celebration of the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST)

The theme for the 10-day celebration was: "The re-emergence of AfricanCivilisation" with a sub-theme: " Uniting the African family: bridging thegap through information technology."

Ghana's First President Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Mr Bob Marley, a renowned Jamaican Musician received the Hero's Award posthumously.

A Heroine's Award went to Rita Marley the widow of Bob Marley.

Dr Mohammed Ben Abdallah, of the University of Ghana and Mr Nkunu Akyea of the Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHTC) were the other recipients of the Hero's award.

The 38 organisations that also received the pat for contributing to the success of the Festival included Western Union, Toyota Ghana Limited, Ghana Airways and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

The Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze commended the African from the Diaspora for coming to participate in the festival and traditional rulers for their level of commitment.

He re-echoed calls on all Africans to contribute towards the building of the continent, adding, "whether we are public servants, opinion leaders, clergymen adults or children, it behoves us to strive to make our motherland a place to be proud of".

On the lapses associated with the organisation of the Festival, the Minister expressed the hope that stakeholders would take stock and take the necessary steps to correct them to ensure that subsequent ones were celebrated without anyhitch.