Kojo Antwi

The Coca-Cola Ebony Festival to be held in Dakar and Gor?e Island, Senegal, will celebrate through music the hope, spirit and cultures of the African people. The three-day festival, which takes place between June 4 and 6, 2004, will call upon Africans and the rest of the world ? to actively participate in renewing their commitment to the continent and its future.

The festival will feature concerts with performances by renowned African and international artistes including Jimmy Cliff, Youssou N?Dour, Rachid Taha, Koffi Olomide, Meiway, Diam?s, Baba Maal, Elam J, Vivian N?Dour, Magic System, Jocelyn Labylle, Makoma, Ralph Thamar, Alpha Blondy, M Solaar and perhaps Ghana?s Kojo Antwi.

?The Coca Cola Company has been supporting music, culture and sport alongside a wide range of community initiatives across the African continent for many years and has been particular active in the fight against HIV/AIDS,? explains Alex Cummings, President and CEO, of the Coca Cola Company in Africa. ?The Ebony Festival epitomises these activities and the values which we believe are fundamentals to Africa?s renaissance.?

?With the world constantly being inundated with images of what is wrong with Africa ? famine, civil war and AIDS ? the Coca-Cola Ebony Festival is a catalyst for a new version of Africa. This festival is about celebrating Africa?, says Mya Padmore, Co-Executive Producer of the festival. ?Although it seems to be a difficult concept for some to understand, without highlighting a negative aspect of Africa, this is what makes this effort unique.?

The festival maintains extensive media partnerships that will promote the event to millions of viewers worldwide. Televisions and radio partners include Canal France International which will broadcast to over 40 African national television stations, in addition to coverage through TV5, Trace TV & Magazine, MTV Base, BET Jazz, Radio France, Afrique Magazine, African Business and others.

?We want the world to know that there is more than charity and pity for Africa. There are many reasons to be proud and amazed by Africans,? says Seynabou Sy, Co-Executive Producer of the festival.