The President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Yvonne Donkor, has called on Ghanaian youth and creatives to embrace their role as custodians of culture as Meraki Arts Africa officially launched Zadokeli 2025 on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Addressing artists, dignitaries and guests at the opening ceremony, Donkor described the festival as more than an artistic showcase, framing Zadokeli as a journey of rediscovery, remembrance and hope.
The festival’s name “Zadokeli”, meaning “eclipse” in Ewe provided a thematic anchor for her message on introspection and cultural renewal.
“An eclipse may bring a moment of darkness, but it also invites reflection,” she said.
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“Just as night yields to dawn, this festival represents a reawakening a chance to reflect on who we are, where we come from and where we want to go.”
Donkor commended participating artists including photographers, dramatists, dancers, poets and storytellers for using their craft to confront societal “darkness,” such as injustice, loss of identity and cultural erosion.
Their work, she noted, brings forward “light, memory, resilience, culture and community.”
Speaking in her capacity as TOUGHA President, Donkor emphasised the growing role of cultural festivals in Ghana’s tourism development.
She argued that festivals like Zadokeli serve as powerful engines for cultural exchange, economic opportunity and national branding.
“Tourism is not just about travel; it is about connection and understanding,” she said.
“Visitors who experience Zadokeli meet our people, hear our songs, taste our food and leave with a piece of Ghana in their hearts.”
She noted that such encounters support artisans, strengthen cultural industries and inspire pride among young people.
A significant portion of her speech focused on Ghana’s young generation, whom she described as the “bearers of our culture’s future.”
She urged them to see Zadokeli as a bridge between generations rather than a one-off event.
“When you walk through exhibitions or watch performances, you are inheriting more than art you are inheriting identity, values and a gift,” she told the youth.
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