Ghana has been urged to intensify efforts to promote its culture and traditions on the global stage to enable the international community to understand and appreciate the country’s rich cultural heritage.
The Executive Producer and African Representative of the Hollywood and Africa Prestigious Awards (HAPAwards), Mr Adeola Odunowo, said Ghana had abundant talent in the creative industry that needed to be showcased internationally.
He said promoting local talent on the global stage would create opportunities for young artists to market themselves, build international networks and gain recognition.
“It’s not enough to have talents in Nigeria or Ghana. We are living in an information age now and we believe that there is a whole lot of opportunities for local talents to shine at the global stage and that’s what our platform provides,” Mr Odunowo said.
He was speaking at the media launch of the 10th anniversary celebration of the HAPAwards, scheduled for October 7 to 9 this year at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
Twenty-five individuals are expected to be honoured for their contributions to society, while the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will receive an award for his contribution to promoting diaspora relations.
Mr Odunowo said activities lined up for the three-day celebration included an African showcase titled: ‘The Journey of an Ashanti Man,’ a Creators Night to celebrate talents in the creative arts industry from Hollywood and Africa, and the Kings Night.
He said the awards ceremony provided a platform for creative arts practitioners to showcase their talents and pledged the organisers’ continued support for Ghana’s creative sector.
Mr Odunowo explained that the concept for the Ghana edition of the awards, dubbed ‘The Road to HAPA,’ was a travel-style initiative intended to take the awards celebration to different parts of the world before the main event in Los Angeles.
He encouraged creative arts practitioners to visit the HAPAwards website, register and submit their content for consideration ahead of the celebration in Los Angeles.
The Founder of HAPAwards, Mrs Tina Weisinger, said the awards had become a platform for celebrating the connection between Africa, Hollywood and the global community.
She said the initiative had also created opportunities for recognition, collaboration, cultural exchange and economic engagement.
“When Africa and Hollywood connect meaningfully, the possibilities are limitless. The Africa creator economy is no longer simply an emerging conversation. It is one of the most exciting opportunities of our generation,” Mrs Weisinger said.
The Chief of Amoaman Traditional Area, Nana Dr Agyenim Boateng I, acknowledged efforts by successive governments to connect Ghanaians in the diaspora with their roots through initiatives such as the Year of Return and the creation of the Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President.
He said invitation letters had been sent to various institutions ahead of the awards ceremony at the Manhyia Palace and expressed the hope that all stakeholders would actively participate.
Nana Dr Agyenim Boateng I commended the organisers of the HAPAwards and urged them to continue with the initiative.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
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