WAPI Festival presents “I Rep Africa” with Sarkodie

The last ever WaPi (Words and Pictures) Festival, a free event brought to you by the British Council, will take place on Sunday April 25th at British Council HQ, Accra. Themed “I Rep Africa”, the festival will be headlined by Ghana Music Awards nominee, Sarkodie, alongside a fashion show, art exhibition, graffiti display, spoken word, and the chance for young creatives to win cash prizes. If you’re an artist of any kind, this is your chance to show Accra how You Rep Africa.

Accra, Ghana 6th April 2010 -- The WAPI (Words and Pictures) Festival is back for one last time in April 2010, once again bringing together Ghana’s best creative professionals and fans for a day of music, art, fashion and fun. A full day and night of entertainment will include;

• Live performances from Sarkodie, Nana Yaa and WaPi artists hosted by YFM DJ Ms Naa • Fashion show with Accra’s freshest designers • Art exhibition displaying pieces from around the country • Expert discussion panel for young creatives to learn from the professionals • Plus acting workshops, graffiti battle, spoken word, craft fair, and much more throughout the day and night

I Rep Africa is a celebration of what it is to be young and African in the 21st century. It’s an event for Ghana’s established stars to come together with the stars of tomorrow, to have fun and party with friends and fans.

With eight Ghana Music Award nominations, Sarkodie will be hoping to celebrate some award wins with a memorable performance, following the beautiful, soulful voice of Nana Yaa. And not forgetting Accra’s underground musicians – the Ghana Music Awards winners of tomorrow. A fashion show will provide an opportunity to check out the latest trends, and an art exhibition will showcase some of the best work from around Ghana. And bringing it all together will be host of YFM’s Ryse and Shyne breakfast show, Ms. Naa.

This is also a chance for artists to win star prizes by showing how You Rep Africa in your chosen artform. If you’re a visual artist, musician, spoken word artist, graffiti artist or photographer, show us how you represent Africa and the best in each category will win GHC200 plus a place on the British Council Creative Entrepreneurs scheme. Entries in visual art and photography will be judged before the event, with spoken word, music and graffiti battling it out on the day.

For young creatives and artists, before the main event begins you’ll have a chance to come and hear from the experts. A discussion panel of professionals in journalism, broadcasting, photography, music and advertising will offer a chance to learn about how to make it in your chosen field – ask questions, gain advice and network with the people who have been through it all.

Set to take the Ghana Music Awards by storm, Sarkodie is looking forward to taking it back to the place that helped him make his name. Sarkodie says, “WaPi is a day for the young people of Accra, the creative stars of the future. It’s a place to hook up with friends, have fun and enjoy all the free entertainment going on throughout the day and night.

I remember playing at WaPi in my early days, dreaming of making it big. Now I’ve reached where I am today, it feels good to be giving something back. This is the last ever WaPi to take place in Accra, so I’ll be putting in a big performance to say goodbye!”

Entry for the festival is free, and will begin from 12pm on Sunday April 25th. For all enquiries email WaPighana@gmail.com, call 020 9851 459 or Facebook search “WaPi I rep Africa”