To justify the increase in the entrance fee from $5.00 to $10.00 this year, the organizers of the annual Ghanafest, The Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago, GNC, have lined up the best local and Ghanaian based talented musicians to spice up the largest attended and most splendid African cultural festival in the Diaspora, Chicago’s Ghanafest. Ghanafest 2011 is on Saturday July 30 at the historic Washington Park, 5600 South Russell Drive, Chicago (the Street east of Martin Luther King Drive/55th Street aka Garfield Blouvard), West of Du Sable Museum and near the Swimming Pool. It is the same location as last year’s. The festival starts at 11 A.M and ends at 10 P.M.

Ghanafest is the celebration of Ghana’s heritage by the various Ghanaian traditional groups in the Chicago area. GhanaFest is an exhibition with a makeup theme of a Cultural Exposition. If you have never visited Ghana or Africa or witnessed an African durbar of chiefs, Queens and their courtiers; think of what you are missing! Ever witnessed the Ghanaian Traditional Thanksgiving Celebration? Again, think of what you are missing! It is big, and Chicagoans keep on making it bigger each year! This is evident in the display of golden ornaments, Ghanaian traditional attire and variety of the Ghanaian indigenous Kente cloths. The diversity of Ghanaian music and dancing, assortment of food (taste of Ghana) , arts and craft, folktales in a plethora of meaningful and positive cultural tradition and others. It is heart-warming to be a part of this historic and culturally rich celebration, as an individual or a family. It is in this vein that sensational Ghanaian hiplife Musician, Nana Boroo, would not hesitate when he was called upon to put up a performance at Ghanafest 2011! Nana confirmed this to Ghanaweb International this morning!

The Organizing Secretary of the Ghana National Council, Mr.Steve Dei, also confirmed to Ghanaweb International that indeed advance payment, airline tickets and hotel rooms have been secured for Nana Boroo and his manager. Nana Boroo will arrive at Chicago on Friday July 29 from his current base, New Jersey.

Nana Boroo shot into the Ghanaian music fame with his smash hit single Aha Ye De. He is also credited with the hit songs Baabiaa Soso and the remix and jazz versions of Aha Ye De! Nana disclosed to Ghanaweb International that he will win more fans in Chicago after his expected epic performance on stage at the festival. “I heard that the Chicago event is a big one. In Chicago, it is going to be my own kind of style…it is going to be Nana Boroo’s style and by the time I leave the stage, they will admire my performance so much that they will ask me to come back again”

The Nyansapo Band led by Smart Frimpong will also be in attendance to entertain the expected teeming crowd. The group is noted for playing popular and rollicking selections of highlife and what “Ga” people call “kolomashie” . A member of the group, Nii Okine , dazzles his audience with a solo he describes as “ Gamashie” show. The best Disc Jockeys’ in the Chicago area will be featured. For the first time,the Pentecost Church Choir will also entertain the crowd with good selections of gospel tunes.

Visitors to this year’s Ghanafest will have an array of entertainment options before and after the festival in the Chicago area to choose from. There is an HIV/AIDS awareness Fashion Show, at the McCormick Boys and Girls Club, MBGCC ,4835 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, Illinois, from 7 P.M to 10 P.M. The Iyanze Lounge, 4623 N Broadway, will host a pre-Ghanafest Party on Friday July 29 2011. The event starts from 10 P.M to 3 A.M. Immediately after Ghanafest, the spacious Art Revolution, 600 W. Cermark Road, will also play host to a well planned post Ghanafest party from 10 P.M to 3.30 A.M.Chicago’s top D.J’s, Bonsu and Abrantie, will feature at this event. Concluding the Ghanafest weekend of packed activities is an outdoor BBQ on Sunday, July 31 2011 at the Jackson Park, 62nd and Stony Island, from 2 P.M. Meanwhile Ghana banking giants, ECOBANK, is participating in this year’s Ghanafest. They will unveil new products especially tailored for the financial needs of Ghanaians abroad. The head of ECOBANK delegation to Ghanafest and Head of Domestic Banking, Mr. George Mensah-Asante, informed Ghanaweb International in a brief pre-flight interview.

Four Internet based radio stations have scheduled to broadcast live from the festival grounds. They include, Legend Talk Radio based in Chicago, Radio Sunshine from Virginia, Asempa Radio based in Tennessee and one other