Ghana’s rich culture was experienced in its entirety by residents and visitors to the Washington D.C Metropolis at the first International Cultural Festival celebrations held on Saturday May 17, this year. The program themed “Passport D.C” was organized by Cultural Tourism D.C, a U.S based cultural organization that enhance and increase awareness of local cultural institutions.

The program was in collaboration with all Embassies in Washington D.C to create a platform to expose the diverse cultures of these Missions. The day event drew thousands of guests to the chancery to witness the colorful, elaborate and enchanting culture of Ghana which was on display amidst the continuous drumming and dancing showcasing the various ethnic Ghanaian dances. An Exhibition of beautiful art pieces including wooden carvings, paintings, elegant collection of Ghanaian clothing, news in pictures, historical and tourism brochures graced the walls of the Chancery.

Ghana’s renowned artists Nana Okyereman Asante, dressed in Ghanaian regalia, began his performance with a poem, which he narrated to the soft sound of African instruments to the joy and applause from the crowd. Additionally, authentic Ghanaian food was served for tasting.

In a speech presented on behalf of Ghana’s Envoy to the U.S, H.E Kwame Bawuah Edusie, the Head of Chancery Mrs. Martha Pobee reiterated that Ghana is indeed privileged to be part of such a memorable event, more importantly, the first of its kind to be organized in the Metropolis.

She added that Ghana will continue to support the event which not only showcase its rich cultural heritage but fosters a relationship with the community as well as creating an opportunity for the country to attract more prospective investors.

The Executive Director of Cultural Tourism D.C, Linda Harper in her brief comments expressed appreciation to the Embassy for their participation and contribution in making the event a success.

Patricia Elwood, Protocol and International Affairs, Office of the Mayor of DC who also spoke briefly urged the participants to take advantage of the numerous cultures on display to educate themselves adding that the office of the Mayor will continue to support future events that will enhance “bridge building” among cultures.

It is anticipated that Ghana’s participation will open great opportunity for the influx of tourist to the country as majority of visitors fell in love with Ghana’s rich and diverse culture. Earlier in the month, the Meridian Children’s festival ended successfully on May 10, 2008 at the Meridian House in Washington DC. The festival, themed “Travel the world in one day” had Ghana and eighteen other Nations participating.

Embassies represented managed booths portraying their culture. Items on display included banners, posters, educational literatures, food, traditional attires and hands-on activities of interest to both children and adults. The fore-court of the Meridian House was the stage of diverse of cultural drumming and dancing, to the thrill of the excited crowd of children and their parents. At the Ghanaian Booth, pictures of high-watershed events, tourist sites, and educational literatures, brochures on Ananse stories, traditional stools, and traditional games of ‘Oware’, Kente garments and cloths, ‘Adinkra’ and several artifacts were displayed.

The miniature set up of a ‘Cocoa’ stand showcasing the Mission’s forty year old cocoa pod, a bottle of cocoa powder, Hershey chocolates and a number of visuals on cocoa plantations in Ghana attracted both adults and children visitors to the stand. Typical to the nature of children and some ‘sweet-toothed’ adults, all the displayed Chocolates were consumed by them within a very short time of the program.

Parents enjoyed playing the ‘Oware’ games with their children at the stand while several took to printing ‘Adinkra Designs’ on fabrics provided with stamps and paint. Interestingly, most of the children sought for the meaning of the designs which were available, and printed them with little notes of love and affection for their mothers and teachers to commemorate this year’s ‘Mother’s Day’.