GTA holds Festival of Cultures in Accra
A colourful showcase of Ghanaian culture was on full display on Thursday evening in Accra at the Festival of Cultures organised by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
The event, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), was held to herald the Global Citizen Festival, an internationally acclaimed music event with a social change mission of eradicating extreme poverty, hosted by Ghana today at the Black Star Square.
Officials from Global Citizen were treated to diverse cultural dance, music and drumming performances from the National Dance Ensemble of the National Theatre as well as beautiful traditional regalia displayed by chiefs and traditional rulers from different parts of the country.
Deputy Minister for MOTAC, Mark Okraku Mantey, hailed the partnership between Global Citizen and Ghana, adding that the event was going to put Ghana in the international spotlight.
He said the partnership confirmed MOTAC’s commitment to the Meeting, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) tourism agenda that was valuable to the growth of the tourism value chain.
The Deputy Minister was also excited about the prospects the platform offered to Ghanaian artistes to sell their craft to a global audience.
Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, Akwasi Agyemang, said even though Global Citizen’s event was a musical concert, it was important that they witnessed the rich traditional heritage and beautiful culture that Ghana had to offer.
He indicated that the Global Citizen’s message of eradicating extreme global poverty was one that reverberated and was close to home, assuring them of the GTA’s support on the mission.
Okatakyie Nana Anim I, Sanaahene of Ati New Tafo Akyem Abuakwa and a past president of the Ghana Tourism Federation, observed that Ghanaian culture and traditional values were on the decline, making a rallying call on chiefs and traditional rulers across the country to drum home the value of discipline to their people.
He said Ghanaian culture was unique as compared to other countries, and therefore all hands must be on deck to promote and market it to the world at an aggressive pace.
Today’s concert would be headlined by celebrated American R&B star, Usher Raymond.
He will be joined by Ghanaian acts such as Sarkodie, Stonebwoy and Gyakie.
American R&B songstress, SZA, Nigerian Afro-beats star, TEMS, British-Ghanaian rapper, Stomzy, and South African budding DJ, Uncle Waffles, are also on the bill.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
