Wa, Nov. 23, GNA - Mr Boniface Gambila, Upper East Regional Minister on Wednesday called on the various Ghanaian ethnic groups to use the bi-annual national festival of arts and culture (NAFAC ) as a platform to develop strong bond of relationship, unity and understanding among their people.

Mr Gambila made the call when the Upper East and Western Regions took their turn at the NAFAC, currently underway at Wa, to showcase the culture of their people.

The Minister pointed out that Ghana, as a one geographical entity with one political head, has no excuse to allow perceived petty ethnic differences to impede collective efforts to build a prosperous and vibrant nation.

He disclosed that the price of leather, straw baskets and smocks that are produced in the Upper East region had risen in the past six years, thereby increasing the earnings of the makers of the products. Mr Kwesi Blay, deputy Western Regional Minister acknowledged the contribution of the National commission on culture, the traditional councils and the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies towards the successful hosting of this year's festival.