2nd Akwaaba Festival kick starts with massive exhibition

Following the successful launching of the maiden edition of the Akwaaba Festival, the 2nd has begun in earnest with an exhibition and sale of Ghanaian arts and crafts at the forecourt of the National Theatre, Accra.

2nd Akwaaba Festival kick starts with massive exhibition

Fanatics of made in Ghana products will have a daunting task of choosing from an array of Ghanaian art and craft from Thursday, August 18 to Saturday, 20th 2022. Drawing patrons from all walks of life, the Akwaaba Festival is meant to give variety of Ghanaian products. The festival will present a unique opportunity for patrons to shed some calories as they dance the night away at its Free Musical Concert courtesy of MUSIGA at the forecourt of the National Theatre which will feature Kweku Flick, Strongman, Keche, Kofi Jamar, Malcolm amongst other musicians. For those who are photo lovers, the Festival will be occasioned by photo ops with celebrities and the general public. Speaking in an interview with Soireenews.com, the Executive Director for National Commission on Culture, Ms. Edna Nyame who was upbeat that the festival will positively impact the Tourism Industry while whipping the overall Interest of both Ghanaians and fellows from the Diaspora. According to her, the Akwaaba Festival poses the trademark of becoming better and therefore has come to stay. Urging Ghanaians to patronize the art and craft on display, she believes that the festival will encourage players in the field to do more to keep Ghana as an enviable location. She maintained that the Akwaaba Festival will be the panacea to paint Ghana well to the international community. She said this year's edition of the Akwaaba Festival has been an improvement of the maiden edition and on the basis of that, she was hopeful that the festival will leave a good footprint which would not be abandoned. She disclosed that the smiley Akwaaba portraits which depicts Ghana's hospitality must definitely be own by every patron adding that seeing it everywhere across the country shows that Ghanaians have embraced same. Ms. Nyame who represented the Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture underscored the need for every patron to own at least one of the Akwaaba portrait adding that, it will boost the national economy. She explained that though the money from the sale of artifacts might not come to government coffers but sustains their businesses. "The smile of the the portraits is a depiction of the Ghanaian hospitality and also placing Ghana on the International front as a good destination for business",she said.

She said the portrait alone is selling, marketing Ghana and also telling people that the Ghanaian is a depiction of what is on the portrait. She urged every Ghanaian to have at least one of the portraits at home or as a gift to someone. She believes that though the beginning of the festival has been slow but was upbeat that many will hear of it and follow suit. As part of side attraction,the festival will present performances of some popular cultural dances such as Agbadza, Kpanlogo Bamaya and Adowa, all of which depict what stuff Ghana is made up in terms of diversity in culture. There will also be a presentation of a documentary on the evolution of Ghana music.

Also, special honours will be made where giant iconic Akwaaba Portraits will be presented to the Minister of Tourism, the French Ambassador to Ghana and the World Bank Country Director for their immense contribution to the upliftment of Ghana's Tourism. Ten finalists of the just ended Akwaaba Reality Show will be offered the opportunity to compete for honours. The 1st prize winner will aside parting away with a GHS10,000 cash and a week's trip to Dubai with pocket money. Additionally, she will be featured on the front page of the yet-to-be published Akwaaba Festival Magazine coupled with a year ambassadorial duty.

The second prize winner also receives GHS7,000 while the 3rd receives GHS5,000. Legends and veteran highlife, Gyedu-Blay Ambolle,,,y and his Sekondi band will liven the stage with renditions from some of his popular songs as well as other musicians.

Report by Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor