‘My Culture Rocks’ carnival launched

Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has launched the second edition of Street Carnival Festival with a call on all to support in promoting the culture and heritage of the country.

The Street Carnival which is scheduled to take place from June 28 to June 29 is to diversify the country’s tourism and culture potentials. It is also to highlight the country’s cultural identity and create employment and income opportunities for several Ghanaians.

The festival is on the theme: “My Culture Rocks.”

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said the festival, which drew a link between the country and the Diaspora was timely as it seeks to cement the bond of friendship between the continent and the Diaspora.

She said carnivals offered the opportunity for celebrations and businesses, adding that countries such as Trinidad and Tobago have developed the event to become a huge economic activity which offer jobs and had created wealth to majority of the citizenry.

She added that the opportunities had benefited wider stakeholders such as artists, food vendors, transport operators, fashion designers and hotel operators.

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said the activities planned for the event included a street parade, starting from the Community Youth Culture Centre at Kawukudi through the Oxford street to the independence square and food bazaar at the independence square.

She said the rest of the activities were performances by the groups representing the 10 regions and prizes for award winners, and a beach party at the La Pleasure Beach on June 29 to climax the two- day event.

Dr Samuel Benagr, Vice Chairman of Ghana Centre for Carnival Arts, said the Ghanaian Society in the United Kingdom had worked closely with the Ministry in the area of developing and delivering carnival in the country.

Dr Benagr said the mission of the Centre was to produce a world-class national character street carnival that was not only impressive in size, scale and scope but also acted as a vehicle to promote tourism, cultural regeneration and economic development.

He said the Centre involved the youth in its activities, including seminars, symposiums, cultural performances, drama, carnival, costume creation and workshops.