THE National Federation of Masqueraders and Fancy Dress of Ghana (NFMFD) has launched the Black Star Carnival with a call on the World Carnival Commission (WCC) to support Ghana to plan and organise the event.
Black Star Carnival, scheduled for May this year, is a new initiative designed to turn local masquerade traditions into a structured, revenue-generating cultural tourism product.
The Secretary of the Federation, Mr Dodzi Foli, explained that the WCC visit to Ghana would guide, direct, and help organise a successful carnival and put Ghana on the global stage. “We have brought global expertise to make the Black Star Carnival a unique event, bringing the world to Ghana under one umbrella body,” he stated.
He further stated that the Federation was a national body established to professionalise, regulate, and elevate masquerade and fancy dress arts into a sustainable cultural industry. “Our main aim is to coordinate activities, improve artistic standards, ensure safety, and support structured growth across the country. The Federation seeks to unify diverse regional traditions into a single national vision, building a cohesive Ghanaian masquerade brand that respects local identity while meeting international standards,” he said.
Mr Foli emphasised that masquerade should be recognised as a powerful medium for education and national engagement, addressing social issues such as cultural identity, youth discipline, and creative entrepreneurship.
The Public Relations Officer of NFMFD, Mr Andrew Kofi Duodu, said the initiative was focused on continuous content creation, positioning masquerade as a year-round cultural product while supporting youth employment and skills development. “Ghana’s masquerade and fancy dress traditions remain among the nation’s most powerful cultural expressions, combining colour, discipline, music, and symbolism,” he said.
Mr Duodu added that the carnival would create a significant number of jobs, both temporary and permanent, by engaging security, hospitality, logistics, costume designers and producers, artists, food vendors, marketing and protection officers, and tourism and hospitality personnel. He cited examples from the Caribbean, where carnival events generate thousands of jobs directly and indirectly, such as in Trinidad and Tobago, where carnivals contribute significantly to the national economy.
In Ghana, the Black Star Carnival would create opportunities for young people to develop skills and earn income, helping to address unemployment.
Mr Martin Kwaku Bedzra, Vice President of the Federation, highlighted the importance of investing in youth through the Carnival initiative.
The Chief Executive Officer of the World Carnival Commission (WCC), Mr Pax Nindi, described carnival as one of the biggest income-generating ventures with immense potential to boost Ghana’s economy. He emphasised the economic benefits of carnival, noting that Ghana is yet to fully tap into its potential.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
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