Minister of Tourism Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has briefed the media on preparations being made toward the 3rd Ghana Carnival slated for July 1-3, 2016 in Accra.
The three-day event, which is under the theme ‘My Culture Rocks’, is primarily to highlight Ghana’s cultural diversity as well as build a link between the creative arts industry and other sectors of the economy.
Mrs. Ofusu-Adjare said: “The event is expected to generate wealth among Ghanaians by way of creating employment and providing income opportunities for vendors of various goods and services who will be at the event venues and beyond.
“The Carnival aims at promoting the Ghanaian culture and identity for national development by way of participation for all ten regions in the country. Each region is expected to display its rich and diverse culture through music, dance, clothing and food.”
“Highlights of the Carnival”
A float that will start from Mantse Agbona in James Town, pass through some key principal streets of the capital and end at the Black Star Square where there will be a jamboree with a host of performances from various musicians and cultural troupes.
Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy, Sherifa Gunu, the National Dance Ensemble, African Dance Ensemble, and the Centre for National Culture (CNC) are all expected to perform.
There will also be a beach jam at the La Pleasure Beach on the 2nd and 3rd of July 2016.
Over 30 foreign missions in Ghana are expected to participate in the float.
Other activities include a talent hunt, cultural chants (Jama) competition, beach jam, poetry recitals, live paintings, brass band displays and masquerades.
The 14-man NGC La Brea Nightingales Steel Band from Trinidad &Tobago and other Cultural troupes from countries such as Seychelles, Togo, and Nigeria are all expected to participate in the event.
Tourism Ambassadors Abeiku Santana and John Dumelo, among others, are expected to attend the event.
The mammoth Carnival is intended to create the right setting for expansion of domestic tourism, and will see a great number of both Ghanaians and foreign residents in Ghana present to witness the event.
Expressing confidence in the total turnout, the Tourism Minister said: “This year’s event promises to be even bigger. We are expecting not less than 5,000 happy patrons. About 3,000 of them have confirmed their participation”.
The 3rd Ghana Carnival is organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in collaboration with the Ghana Society UK, the Ministry of Youth & Sports, the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in Ghana, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (A.M.A), and the ten regional coordinating councils.
The minster described the carnival as a “special event and relatively new” in Ghana, and encouraged all Ghanaians and businesses to be a part of it.