The International Board of the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) is considering a proposal to make the celebration an annual affair.

Mr Kojo Yankah, Chairman of the Board announced this at a grand durbar of chiefs and queen mothers to mark the formal opening of Panafest 2001 at Cape Coast.

The festival, which was first celebrated in 1992, has since been celebrated biennially.

A large number of people, including chiefs, ministers of state, members of parliament, and Africans from the Diaspora attended the durbar.

Mr Yankah described Panafest as the most dynamic festival in Africa and urged African political leaders to assist in sustaining and promoting it.

He thanked the African Union, the government of Ghana and various groups and organisations for supporting the festival and urged Africans in the Diaspora to continue to participate in the festival, which aims at reuniting them with their motherland.

In a message, Morena Moholo Mota, Paramount Chief of Batlokoa Nation of Free State, of the Republic of South Africa, praised Ghanaians for preserving and promoting their cultural heritage, and observed that "a nation without culture is like a tree without roots.

The Paramount chief, described Ghana as a model for democracy and traditional leadership, and these he said, played a significant role in her fight against foreign domination.

He proposed a cultural exchange programme between the people of Ghana and South Africa, and hoped the government will solicit the support of his country in its developmental objectives.

Mr Fritz Jackson, Jamaican Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, noted that although Africans are separated by attempts to devalue their rich cultural heritage, the people of Jamaica, will forever remain a part of the African family.

He recounted the grief brought about by the slave trade and by the separation, but was happy that the celebration of Panafest has become a period of joy.

The chairman of the National Commission on Culture, Professor George Hagan also stressed the need for Africans to come together to find solution to their problems.

In his welcoming address, the Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze, recounted efforts being made to preserve the country's cultural and historical heritage to enhance the celebration of Panafest and Emancipation Day, and urged all Africans in the Diaspora to support to make their celebration "uplifting and enriching".