Ghanaweb Int. CEO to Chair Ghanafest 2004

The Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago at their last meeting before the 16th annual Ghanafest voted for Mr. Francis Akoto, CEO of Ghanaweb International to chair the festival. Dr. La-Kumi of Canada was accepted by council members to be the keynote speaker of the function.

Ghanafest which started 16 years ago grossed over twenty thousand patrons last year, Chicago Defender newspaper estimate, and this year?s festival is expected to surpass last years. The festival attracts visitors and guests from all over the world to be part of this great fiesta, thus making Ghanafest, the largest African cultural festival in North America.

Speaking to Reuben Hadzide, present treasurer of the Ghana National Council, he expressed his feelings that the spirit of the festival is manifested in its unifying force for us Ghanaian immigrants, as it brings a high level of solidarity among us and showcases the Ghanaian and for that matter African Culture to the world. ?On this day, people from all over the world descend on Chicago to witness a great cultural show, mingle, exchange greetings, taste Ghanaian foods ,buy African artifacts and dance to African and Caribbean music.? He concluded.
The event substantially represented the African Diaspora. Vendors from Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, West Indies and merchants from Chicago?s African American communities made for a blend of cultural history, admiration and entertainment. Festival goers are often treated to seemingly endless caches of African fabrics like Kent? Cloth custom-made into Dashikis, sashes, hats, head-wraps, shawls and coats for men and women. Vendor tables displayed assortments of African jewelry such as ankhs, ?butter? and Baltic amber-colored necklaces, wrist bands.
As usual, this years festival will feature a Live band led by the African Queen, Asabea Cropper, Dan Boadi, president of the musician union of Ghana in Chicago, Wilson Walsh & Frimpong ,Amakye Dede fame, Kwame Bediako and Sam Ghansa, Reggae musicians, Joe Atiso, Ramblers International fame and Kofi Hanson of Dansika band, Also, live stilt dancers alongside traditional Adowa dancers and Borborbor music by the Ewe Association of metropolitan Chicago will delight their fans.
The city f Chicago will for the first time provide jumping-jacks to entertain both children and adults.
The main sponsors of the event are Western Union, City of Chicago, Annaka Enterprise, Makola African super-market of Chicago, English Fabrics, and Oakley Construction Company Inc.