Today is Ghanafest 2012

The annual Ghanaian festival of Arts, Culture and Entertainment (GhanaFest) will take place live in Chicago toady, Saturday July 28. As is expected the festival will draw a large section of people not only of Ghanaian descent but a cross section of admirers, participants and patrons from all walks of life.
Over the years, the festival has grown in size and popularity and this year is no exception. Under the able leadership of Mr. John Henry Assabill, President of the GNC, his Executives and Council members, this year’s festival promises to be well organized, patronized and different. Looking from the outside in, the organization of such an occasion is nothing but a piece of cake but speaking as an insider for the first time, though the cake may look delicious on the outside , it takes a whole team of selfless dedicated men and women to put this together and pull it off successfully.
This year listening to the demands of the people, the organizers have structured the festival to suit the needs of the people. The expansion of the festival grounds this year will provide the ample space to ease the usual overcrowding. The two way “Admission Gates” points on the north and south side of the park will also enhance easy entry and exit creating a flow of traffic. Ticket sales and long lines will be curtailed by putting up a better ticket sales system and the sale of advanced tickets. Tickets are $10 for 12 years and above children below are free. The reinforcement of extra security both from the Chicago Police Department and private security will assure patrons of their safety and security. This year the food and business vendors will have a large area of operation in order to ease up the main field for the cultural and entertainment events. On the entertainment front, patrons have always requested for more, so this year they will get more. There are gospel and cultural performances and a surprise performance that will leave the crowd cheering for more. An upgrade of the participation of our youth this year will definitely set precedence for the next generation to be a strong force behind the festival. As you can see, a lot of new improvements have been put in place and this just to name a few. Our dignitaries for this year will include the Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, the Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel, IL-Senator Kwame Raoul, Alderman Willie B. Cochran and Alderman Will Burns amongst others. Ghana Fest 2012 definitely promises to be one for the history books. Our African leadership of the UAO and APAC will also be there in solidarity and support.
In an interview with the GNC President, he assured patrons of the festival of an exciting experience that will make them feel proud. He extended his gratitude to patrons for their continued support, to sponsors, corporate vendors and business and food vendors for their unwavering participation in the festival. He thanked his executives and all who were working behind the scenes to make this year’s festival a success. In one of his numerous meetings and appointments to ensure the smooth run of the program, Mr. Assabill, expressed his concern about a few issues that in his final year he hopes to weed out and instill a sense of unity amongst the council. He extended his invitation to all to come join us celebrate and support the festival to further uplift the good name of Ghana, its rich culture, food and people.
It has been easy over the years to pinpoint the shortfalls of the festival as an outsider but this year knowing the internal ‘wahala’, I dare say it is not ‘koko’ as we say sometimes or a job for the weak hearted but if we want to remember who we are, display our culture and tradition, someone has got to do the job for us all to enjoy. So I invite you this year, to Ghana fest 2012 and hope to see you this Saturday 28th July at the Washington Park, 5600 South Russell Drive, off Garfield Blvd (55th Street/Garfield Blvd) off Martin Luther King Drive, west of DuSable Museum, Chicago. Gates open at 9am prompt (American time) so that we can have more time to enjoy. Meet me there, See you there. Important points to note: All traffic to the festival must enter through 60th/ML King Drive after 10am. There will be signs to guide you. All vendors Food and Merchandise MUST finish set-up by 9am. There will be NO delivery or discharge of goods after 10am. All vendors (Food and Merchandise) will enter through the Service Gates only from 7am to 9am. Chiefs who have advance tickets could use the Service Gate.
Security will be tight.
WRITTEN BY JENNIFER OSEI – NARTEY (ASST.PRO-GNC)