Elmina (C/R), Aug 6, GNA- Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area and Chairman of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for PANAFEST 2005, on Friday gave the assurance that the celebration of the festival next year would involve residents in localities where the festival would be held.

He said in the past years the objectives for the celebration of the festival have not achieved the desired results as the "major planning was done in Accra ".

Osabarima Atta, gave this assurance, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the end of a three-day workshop on ''PANAFEST Foundation Executive Leadership'' at Elmina.

PANAFEST 2005 has been scheduled to take place from July 27 to August 1 under the theme, ''re-emergence of African civilisation: preserving and uniting the African family fight against HIV/AIDS.''

The workshop was to enable the participants, who comprised members of the PANAFEST board and of the national and international executive committees, to deliberate on problem affecting the successful celebration of the festival.

Osabarima Atta said NEC has embarked upon an education campaign to enhance awareness for the objectives of the festival and appealed to the media to educate the public on the event.