WHOEVER thought that beating fontomfrom drums is the preserve of men might have got it wrong, as activities at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (WAFAC) at the Kumasi Centre for National Culture showed that women were equally capable on the drums.

Women from the Tanokrom Agroma Cultural Troupe, at the Sunyani Centre of National Culture proved that they are a force to reckon with when it comes to beating the fontonfrom.

You had to see it, to believe it. They did not only thrill the crowd with the accompanying traditional music , but also their skills on the drums.

As if the regional day activities were all female affair, another event worthy of attention was a group of old women from Kokofu in Ashanti, who exhibited their dexterity on the ‘donno’.

The 10-day programme was under the theme “50 years of Cultural Integration And National Development”.

All kinds of exhibitions including photographs and handicrafts ran throughout the festival period.

The public also patronised the traditional wares which enabled the exhibitors to make some money.

The Twiediampong African Dance Ensemble, Amammereso youth choir and choral groups in Kumasi were there to win the hearts of many in the crowd with their performances.

Today, a national durbar of chiefs will climax the official closing ceremony with the chiefs displaying their rich and colourful regalia.

There was no doubt that NAFAC afforded Ghanaians the opportunity to renew and consolidate their cultural values.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Owusu-Ansah, described NAFAC as being an event that would unite Ghanaians to forge ahead as one people of one nation and with a common destiny.

He said that there might be differences and diversity but culture remained one of a stung and irresistible unifying force binding Ghanaians as a people.