At the 2024 African Festival in Accra
The three-day 2024 edition of the African Festival got underway at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC) on Saturday , December 28 with hundreds of patrons at the event.
The three day festival, running from 28th to 30th December, celebrates the diversity and unity of Africa through numerous activities ranging from live cultural performances to interactive cultural exhibits.
The festival opened with Don Quixote Afro, a stage play written by Latif Abubakar, as the main attraction. The play is an adaption of the Spanish novel Don Quixote.
The second day had another theatrical highlight with the play Ghana Must Go, offering a blend of humour, drama, and social commentary.
The final day of the festival will culminate in a musical concert, featuring renowned musicians from across the continent. Iconic South African artist Yvonne Chaka Chaka will take the stage alongside top Ghanaian musicians, promising an unforgettable celebration of African rhythms and melodies.
The festival offers more than stage productions and music. It features experiences such as horse and camel riding, photoshoots and many other activities.
The venue also features artistic renditions of Africa’s iconic landmarks, including the Kwame Nkrumah Museum, Nelson Mandela Capture Site, Larabanga Mosque, and Pyramid of Giza. These exhibits serve as a visual homage to the continent’s rich heritage.
The festival, which has the theme ‘Be The Change,’ seeks to raise awareness about climate change among Africans
Awareness through Culture
In an interview with Graphic Online, the Founder of the African Festival and Ghanaian playwright, Latif Abubakar, emphasised the power of cultural arts in addressing social issues.
He underscored the importance events like the African Festival in providing platforms to showcase Africa’s abundant talent and fostering awareness of critical issues like climate change.
Mr Abubakar explained the urgency of this focus, highlighting the limited understanding of the issue among many Africans.
“Culture, arts, and music are some of the major pathways of educating people,” he stated.
He believes that by combining entertainment with education, the festival will engage the youth and inspire collective action regarding the issue.