The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur has called on Africans at home and the Diaspora to use the celebration of Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) as a platform to forge ahead with a new vision for the growth of the continent. He said there was the need for a greater trade and investment collaboration between Africans and their counterparts in the Diaspora. Nana Arthur made the call at a durbar to mark the opening of the 8th edition of PANAFEST at Cape Coast. It is being celebrated on the theme: "Pan-Africanism in the context of African political, socio-economic development". Numerous African groups, including delegations from the Caribbean, Bahamas, North America and Surinam were being treated to cultural performances by popular troupes from Nigeria, Canada and Ghana, among others. PANAFEST is a cultural event dedicated to the enhancement of the ideals of Pan Africanism and the development of Africa. It is held biennially for Africans and people of African descent as well as persons committed to the well being of the continent and its citizens in the Diaspora. Nana Arthur noted that over the years, the event had created the awareness among participants about Ghana's history and culture and that monuments such as the castles and forts which were used in enslaving Africans had become significant not only to Ghanaians but to all others who cherished the African heritage. He said lessons from PANAFEST were enormous and urged all to follow the debate on the proposed formation of a United States of Africa and other initiatives, which he stressed, could set the stage for the attainment of the continent's development agenda. "We should stay united to confront that aspect of our cultural values and traditions which urge us on to fulfil our potentials as people and members of our country and continent," the Regional Minister added. He invited Africans in the Diaspora to invest in Ghana to help create jobs for the youth, adding that the celebrations should be translated into viable projects to enhance socio-economic development. The various delegations read solidarity messages in which most of them stressed the need for African unity for development.Source: GNA