As the way of life of the people, he said if properly managed, culture could help deepen the prevailing national peace and social cohesion, saying, promoting the cultural heritage of the people was the surest way to build a strong relationship and foster societal peace and social cohesion.

Nana Acheampong made the call when addressing a durbar of chiefs and people from all walks of life at the opening session of the 61st edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC 2024) held in Techiman, the Bono Regional capital.

The theme for the four-day celebration is "Beyond NAFAC at 60, Harnessing Culture, the Pivot for Ghana's Democracy and Sustainable Development", and the celebration showcased the diverse heritage of culture and tradition.

People from parts of the country also displayed their various cultures and traditions, performing dancers and showcasing local food items and traditional regalia.
It also saw the convergence of several and diverse cultural and artistic performances.

Nana Acheampong indicated that the 2024 NAFAC "presents us with lots of opportunities we can take advantage as a nation to hightlights the cultural practices that have helped us to promote virtues of patriotism, peace, truthfulness and respect."

He therefore, urged Ghanaians to always have a positive mindset and help put the country on the right path to achieve the set targets for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 20230.

Mr Kwasi Adu-Gyan, the Bono East Regional Minister, called for unity in diversity, saying, that remained the surest way to facilitate the progressive development of the nation.

He acknowledged and appreciated the immeasurable contributions of NAFAC in promoting national and international arts as well as deepening the diverse cultures of the Ghanaian people, thereby contributing to rapid socio-economic growth and development.

"NAFAC has also been at the forefront of promoting peaceful co-existence, political, religious and ethnic tolerance within and outside Ghana," he stated, saying the festival had further projected the country as a tourist destination Internationally.