It was fun and merry making last Saturday when the African Regent Hotel (ARH) successfully marked its 2016 Afropolitan of Nine Lessons and Carols to usher in the Christmas festivities.

The colourful event attracted an array of the cream of society and personalities who joined staff and the management of the hotel to share in the joyous moment.

Laced with a repertoire of Christmas songs by the evergreen Winneba Youth Choir and MzVee and a mesmerising satire performance by KSM, the guests could not hold it but to rise on to their feet to dance to the songs and cheer the hilarious show.

Anita Erskine, who was the Master of Ceremony for the event, also excited the gathering with jokes and dancing skills.

The first lesson was read by Marian Darkwah, Sales and Marketing Manager, ARH while other staff and invited guests read the remaining eight lessons.

In his welcome address Chief Addo-Kufuor, Chief Executive Officer, said it has become a tradition to organise an event to usher in Christmas festivities.
He said it was important that Christmas was used to reflect on one’s activities for the year and plan for the next year.

Chief Addo-Kufour urged Ghanaians to reflect upon the teachings of Jesus which dwelt on love and the show of affection to each other and live together in peace.

He said the ARH has in place a couple of interesting programmes and events to delight both the young and old during the period.

Marian Darkwah, in an interview on the sidelines of the event said “it has become our custom over the years to usher in the Christmas season and festivities by turning on the Christmas lights and thus lighting the Christmas tree at the hotel.

“We have had different themes each year - the last two years we did a musical concert challenge between some schools, where school pupils between the ages of 7 and 16 had the opportunity to compete with a musical instrument of their choice at the event,” she said.

She said: “This year, we decided to stage a festival of nine lessons and carols and also add on some fireworks - the first in our history. We therefore invited some of our partners to be a part of the ceremony by reading some of the lessons. Prominent among our readers were Akosua Boahen; Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs - Prudential Bank and Mrs. Ama Boohene-Andah; CEO of Brainwave Consult who was also the first woman physician to be in charge of a sitting president's health.”

The event was climaxed by splendid performances by six children who lit the Christmas tree amidst dancing.

Many of those who spoke in an interview after the event expressed their excitement about it.

They congratulated the management of ARH for coming up with such an exciting event.

Activities earmarked for the Christmas celebrations include special display of ‘Christmas Champagne’ and ‘amuses bouches’ will be held daily from December 15 to January 2, 2017 at lounge bar from 6pm – 10pm.

‘Afropolitan’ Brunch will be held on December 18 from 11:30am – 4:00pm @ GH¢150.00 and in attendance would be African Glorious Chorale.

Christmas eve Aperitifs would be with Soloist and Piano/Organ Duets from Isaac and friends from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. There would be a ‘Candles’ dinner, a traditional Christmas eve set menu at the Mukyia Restaurant from 8:00pm – Midnight @ GH¢165 on Saturday, December 24, 2016.

“We have a lot of other special events for the festive season. Just get in touch with us for more details,” Marian Darkwah said.