Wa, Feb 28, GNA- The Upper West Region is now fully prepared to host the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) with the completion of projects, which hitherto were either non-existent or insufficient. Mr. Mark Degbe, Regional Director of Centre for National Culture announced this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Wa on Tuesday

He said apart from completing a building project, which would serve as the secretariat, they have also received computers, a Nissan double-cabin pick-up and other logistics that would enhance their performance in the festival.

He however, regretted that works on the extension of electricity and water to the secretariat was not yet completed and gave the assurance that everything possible would be done to complete all works before the commencement of the festival.

Mr. Degbe said a series of meetings were being organized to map out strategies towards the staging of a successful NAFAC in the Upper West Region.

The Regional Director said even though the work was about 90 percent completed, he could not readily tell when the festival would be staged which he emphasized was the preserve of both the National Commission on Culture and the advisory board. He said the artisans and artistes in all endeavours of the festival were all waiting anxiously for the announcement of new dates for the commencement of the festival. Mr. Degbe appealed to all those who have registered to participate in the festival to exercise patience while further negotiations were carried out for its success.

On other activities of the Centre, Mr. Degbe said they had embarked on a guinea worm eradication programme in the Region to sensitise the people to completely eradicate the disease in the region. He said the programme, which is in the form of drama was sponsored by Global 2000 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and would be dramatized in Kulkpong Balayiri, Duccie and Gurinbelle in the Wa East District and Sigri in the Wa West District.

Meanwhile some participants that the GNA talked to expressed disappointment in the indefinite postponement of the festival. Mr. James Danladi, who had registered to exhibit his items said the postponement had locked up his capital as he produced a lot of his wares with the anticipation of selling during the festival. He appealed to the authorities in-charge of the event to continue to inform the public on the preparations towards the festival as it was a national issue, which demanded accountability.