By EvE Ayeko Labi

Glowing with pride for the first black African nation to gain independence from colonial rule, hundreds gathered at Forum Banquet Hall on Saturday, March 10, 2012, to celebrate Ghana’s 55th Independence at The 6th Annual Red, Gold, Green Classic.

The highly anticipated event was largely coordinated by Afro Entertainment, Lion Palm Entertainment, and Ghana House – with heartening support from the presence of many popular personalities in Toronto’s African Entertainment Industry – including Kofi Mogul of BlackStarz World, Mark Moses of Maad Haus Productions, Julz of Ghana Mixtapes, MC Bonde – “The Voice of Africa”, and Blessing Irabor of Bless Entertainment. The occasion was made all the more special by the lively birthday celebrations of the infamous MC Douglas, and Gabe of Ghanalinx.Com.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with a beautiful display of custom-designed gift bags courtesy of GOLD COAST GODESS? -- a network of professional African Women Entrepreneurs who provide a variety of arts-related services for private, public, and corporate events. Dressed in a colourful array of formal, urban, and traditional attire, groups of attendees posed and strutted for the many cameras that lined the venue’s foyer…moving from still shots by Aspen Image Photography to live interviews conducted by Simone Spike for Sunset TV. Forum’s V.I.P. Room provided an intimate atmosphere to enjoy the sweet sounds of HighLife and HipLife, with music by DJ Virus and DJ Yung Jaah. Throughout the evening, V.I.P. guests were served a sumptuous variety of hot appetizers, and treated to quality bottles adorned with live sparklers.

Hosted by MC Douglas and MC Ebone – “The Voice of The Party”, Forum’s Main Room quickly filled to capacity, comfortably crowded with hundreds of joyous partygoers who danced the night away to endless hits, played by DJ Donet and DJ Bravado. Team GLR set the stage on fire with a riveting performance of their hit song, Meni Wo Bewu (“I’ll Die With You”), that had the entire crowd going wild and singing every line – creating a unique live concert atmosphere that had guests partying until the break of dawn.

The 6th Annual Red, Gold, Green Affair was greatly enjoyed by all in attendance, and many guests expressed how impressed they were that the event seemed to run so smoothly, stating that they were definitely looking forward to the festivities that Ghana @ 56 would bring.©

A first-generation Ghanaian Canadian, EvE Ayeko Labi is the Director of GOLD COAST GODESS?, the former Associate Editor of Pride News Magazine, and a proud recipient of the 2006 Ghanaian Women’s Courage Award for Inspirational Young Leader. She can be contacted at GoldCoastGodess@Gmail.Com.