The Western Regional branch of the Ghana Association of Visual Artiste (GAVA) has expressed regret at the delay in the completion of the Regional theatre, a project which started more than two decades ago.

The group said with the economic boom in the Region as a result of the oil industry, there had been the need for a Regional Theatre to entertain the increasing number of new residents and the increasing population.

Papa Kofi Kum, Regional Chairman of GAVA, said the Regional Theatre had been under construction for 22 years, denying potential beneficiaries the economic benefits.

He said this at a workshop sponsored by the BUSAC Fund to advocate for the speedy completion of the Theatre through Public Private Partnership.

Papa Kum said there was the need to complete the project which would lead to the sustainability of traditional arts that could support economic development by strengthening communities, stimulating demand for local products and supporting the economic activities of other local businesses.

He said major stakeholders including the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Culture, National Commission on Culture, Western Regional Co-ordinating Council and the Sekondi –Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) must come together to formulate policies and programmes to promote the evolution of an integrated National Culture.

The BUSAC funding is providing, GHC53, 987.85, GAVA, GHC5, 998.65 and hoping that within nine months the project, with supports from Region’s members of Parliament, traditional authorities and Metropolitan Assembly, would be completed.