Taste of Afrika to Host Cultural Festival in Ghana
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The second edition of the Cultural Oneness Festival by Taste of Afrika, which aims to foster unity among African traditional institutions and promote cultural exchange for continental visibility and economic empowerment, has been slated for November 2024 in Northern Ghana.
The ultimate mission of the Taste of Afrika initiative, the organisation said, is to strengthen the underlying kinship and cultural bonds among Africans living on the continent and people of African descent in the Diaspora.
A statement by the group said that this is partly by highlighting their common origins while celebrating their cultural diversity as one people to effect the tourism, arts and cultural diversity goal.
The four-day festival’s activities will comprise cultural roots tours, Durbar of Kings and Chiefs, Street Carnival/Exhibitions, Fashion Show, Business/Youth Empowerment Forum and a grand Musical Concert to climax the event.
Chief Executive of The Taste Of Afrika Ltd, Tengol Kplemani, emphasised the festival’s mission.
“Our mission is to promote unity and diversity through cultural exchange and continental visibility for economic empowerment. The festival will serve as a platform for various traditional rulers, kingdoms and leaders from across the continent to come together, share their rich cultural heritage, and collaborate on ways to advance their communities,” he said.
The Cultural Oneness Festival Country Director for Nigeria, Kazeem Balogun, echoed Kplemani’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of unity among African traditional institutions.
“It is imperative for the African traditional institutions to come together, more under a unified front for the progress of the continent, and that’s what the Cultural Oneness Festival aims to achieve,” Balogun stated.
Consequently, the upcoming event will provide a unique opportunity for traditional rulers and their kingdoms to engage in meaningful dialogue and create strategies for the collective advancement of the continent.
Furthermore, the Cultural Oneness Festival, the organisers said, has received significant endorsement from prominent African leaders, including former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Recently, it said a high-powered delegation led by His Royal Highness, Nandom Naa Professor Delle, President of the Nandom Traditional Council, paid a courtesy visit to Obasanjo in Abeokuta.
During this visit, Obasanjo, it said, expressed his support for the festival and its objectives, underscoring the importance of such initiatives in fostering unity and progress across Africa.
“By showcasing the diverse cultures of Africa and encouraging dialogue among traditional leaders, the Cultural Oneness Festival hopes to create a stronger sense of solidarity and cooperation across the continent.
“This event is not only a celebration of African culture but also a step towards a more unified and economically empowered Africa,” the statement added.
