Greetings From Notting Hill Carnival 2013.

The Notting Hill Carnival in the UK was on Monday 26th painted Red, Gold and the ever green for the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Revellers and Travellers came from the four corners of the globe to either witness or participate in one of the world’s best Carnivals of all time. Notting Hill there we were.

This year’s Carnival was amazing, remarkable and awesome. Given the way Castro da ‘Destroyer’, Stonebouy the new dancehall kid on the block and another singing sensation Bisa K’dei flew in from Ghana to grace the African float. This time round, the colour Red represented the love Africa shared with the rest of the countries that came to participate in the carnival.

The Yellow for the admiration of the African float, and the ever Green for the amount of variant Afro-Caribbean foods on display.

The Notting Hill Carnival in the United Kingdom is arguably, the biggest in Europe and the second largest in the world. And as such provides the most fertile grounds for music lovers, dancers, spectators and other fun seekers. There were hundreds and thousands of other floats on display each representing an Island, a nation, a continent or a cause. The float that took my interest and fancy was the one that represented Africa.

The main promoter for the African float was Goldstars Vision whose aim is to exclusively promote all things African. Other partners of the float were U-Media Films and Alordia promotions who made it possible for artistes such as Castro, Bisa K’dei and Stonebouy to perform, live on the float.

Stonebouy raised the roofless musical crowd in Notting Hill with his lyrics from the winds of Heaven, down to the thoughts of men. He actually proved that, if the Jamaicans have Shabba Ranks, Ghana has also got him in a dancehall direction ready to scale all heights.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Goldstars Vision, Miss Barbara “Nu Age Entertainment Ghana and The Host Studios in Tema Ghana, came in as the main sponsors, where artistes produced from the studio will have the opportunity to promote themselves at the London Notting Hill Carnival”.

She also explained that, “for sponsorship opportunities all potential enquiries should be directed to our official Email address, which is Sponsorship@gsvion.org”.

The main side attraction was the numerous AZONTO CD Collection that were given to the teeming masses as gifts by the kind courtesy of Emmanuel Groceries and Kumasi Market.

Mr Emmanuel, who is the CEO of Emmanuel group of companies, said “the organizers should not hesitate to contact him next time around”.

While Mr Neldick who is also the managing director of Kumasi Market Brixton branch, added “I would do my best to help in more ways than one by the grace of God next year”.

MC-DJ Clarke Pentoa as the Master of Ceremonies, fronting and hosting the show did not disappoint either.

His master class showmanship was loud and clear for all to see, watch and enjoy. The dexterity, with which he exhibited his Microphone prowess in a commanding manner, drew other revellers and bystanders to his fellowship.

DJ BIBI immensely accounted for his talent, DJ Makossa was on his usual ‘ones and twos’ alongside Bongo Ice to their adoring fans, while PM of the airwaves gave his best from Rainbow Radio.

When queried as to how excellent the float was? Rosemary N’gobani from South Africa said “although it was an African themed float, only Ghanaian and Nigerian songs were mostly played.

Nnanzi Thukuzele from Tanzania said “next year, the organizers should pay much needed attention to the music content of the float because we will be coming again”.

Antoine who hails from Congo added “I was emotionally touched and connected when I heard the M.C. speaking in French; oh what a joy I love him”.

All in all the African float brought to the masses, a great sense of unity and touted as arguably the best African float ever to have graced the Notting Hills.

BY YAW NKETIA: TOUCHING YOU FROM A DISTANCE, WHILE COLLECTING, COLLATING AND REPORTING AS JOURNALISM DEMANDS.