Francophonie Festival 2024: Festival’s closing day, 20 April 2024

The Francophonie Festival is organized from March 20 to April 20, 2024. This month is an opportunity to celebrate the French language in all its diversity through numerous events organized throughout Ghana.

Happening each year around March 20 which is International Francophonie Day, the Francophonie Festival is a meeting place for word lovers abroad. It offers the general public the opportunity to celebrate the French language and cultural diversity by showing their attachment to it and by celebrating its richness and modernity.

Ghana, through Ghanaian institutions and associations, with the diplomatic representations of Francophonie countries in Ghana, have organized this year a whole month of events to celebrate the French language and the diversity of the Francophonie.

The closing day of the Festival will be marked by several events.

This year’s Festival is of major importance because the XIX Francophonie Summit will take place in France in October, and Ghana, which is currently an associated member of OIF (Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie), is applying to become a full member.

The events on the 20th of April
Francophonie Parade - Kwame Nkrumah Circle/Accra Metropolitan Assembly - 8 am:

A parade of participants from French-speaking countries and Ghana will set off from Kwame Nkrumah Circle at 8 am to celebrate the Francophonie in a festive atmosphere. The parade is due to finish at 10 am at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.

The participants will be wearing specially printed t-shirts, and will walk to music, with a performance by Ivorian artist and choreographer Nikoko Yao.

Through this parade, the French-speaking countries aim to get closer to the Ghanaian population by presenting them with a community linked to the French language and inviting them to join.

The idea of a festive parade gives direct and positive visibility to Ghana's French-speaking community. The Ghanaian authorities have expressed their willingness to repeat the event and provide logistical support, as they did in 2023.

Fair - Alliance Française d'Accra - 12 noon-18pm:

A fair will be organised in the afternoon, in the outdoor area of Accra's famous Alliance Française. A dozen stands will enable the countries to showcase their gastronomy and crafts, once again demonstrating the cultural diversity of the Francophonie.

At the same time, an open stage will be available for young artists to perform and provide entertainment for those attending the fair.

Closing evening - Alliance Française d’Accra - 6pm :

After the official speeches, the closing evening will begin with a performance by Patricia Ekaba, a Congolese writer, accompanied by Larissa Mango (slam) and Fred Imhotep (music keyboard).

The evening will continue with a fashion show. Models will be showcasing traditional costumes as well as works by contemporary Ghanaian, Moroccan, Rwandan, Ivorian, and Guinean designers.

The closing evening will conclude with a concert by the Ghanaian group of highlife-funk FRA, renowned for their amazing performances.
All the events are free!