Ghana is to host this year’s FESTAC Africa Festival aimed at connecting the African diaspora with their roots and provide a platform for cultural exchange.
The event, which is slated for September 21-27, later in the year would attract about 100,000 visitors and delegates, as well as leaders, innovators, artists, and wellness advocates from across the Africa continent and the globe.
It would be held on the theme,” Harnessing Health, Culture, Trade Climate Change, Gender Equity, and Tourism for Sustainable Economic Growth.”
It would also feature transformational conferences, a durbar of chiefs at palaces all across the country, exhibitions of local and foreign partners, sports and kids’ sports camps, a walk for hope for Africa gender-based violence, live virtual artists residency, free health screening, and movie screenings.
Speaking at the media launch in Accra on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, said the event was not just a festival but declaration for unity among Africans.
“This is not just a festival but a declaration that Africa is ready not only to tell her own story but to define her own destiny. Ghana, the land of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the beacon of Pan-Africanism, proudly takes up this mantle. We welcome all of Africa and the Diaspora to unite in purpose, pride, and progress,” Mrs Houadjeto said.
She encouraged the private sector, policymakers, cultural icons, and creatives to take advantage of the opportunity of the event to engage, build networks, and promote their brands.
The Director of Corporate Affairs, GTA, Mr Bright Asempa Tsadidey, said the festival aligned with the country’s vision of becoming a hub for cultural tourism, economic growth, and Pan-African unity.
For her part, the CEO of FESTAC Africa Renaissance Festival, Ms Grace Mumo, said “The platform of FESTAC is there to amplify the African story. We therefore encourage each and everyone not to allow other people to tell our story. You need to tell your story yourself.”
BY CYNTHIA ASAMPANA
