5 Must Experience Festivals in Ghana

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Kotoka International Airport. Local time is 14:00 and the temperature is 22°C. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with  your seat belt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and that it is safe for you to move about".

This announcement is life to anyone on any flight. At least you've the assurance you've  landed safely. Well, now you are in Ghana and obviously you would like to have the Ghanaian experience to the fullest. Festivals play a major role with regards to having a long lasting memory of your stay in Ghana. My work here is simple. To suggest to you, as I always do, 5 must experience festivals in Ghana whenever you find yourself in this part of the world.

1. Chale Wote Street Art Festival
Chale Wote Street Art Festival is West Africa's annual street festival held in Accra, Ghana. This is the time when art, music, dance, fashion and performances are brought unto the streets. Celebrated a week after the Homowo Festival on the streets of Jamestown, this is when we appreciate arts together. Chale Wote draws about three thousand individuals to its abode because of the street paintings, grafitti murals, fashion parade, dance performances, spoken words as well as photography. It's a time where emotions, feelings etc are expressed in art. One fascinating thing about this festival is the networking that goes on. We get loads of friends after the festival. Chale Wote portrays the true identity of the African man as expressed in arts.

2. Panafest Ghana
Pan African Historical Theatre Festival is a cultural event held every two years basically for Africans. It is meant to bring Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora together to promote peace, enhance unity as well as solidarity. It is normally a week long festivity  which features performances in the area of theatre, drama, music, poetry as well as spoken words. It seeks to portray the African origin. Durbars are held by chiefs displaying the rich Ghanaian culture.  You get to know and understand our heritage. Anytime you find yourself in Ghana, try and partake in this festival. The next Panafest is on the 25th July to the 2nd of August 2019 at Elmina.

3. Kwahu Easter Festival
Kwahu ooo Kwahu!!!! The Kwahu Easter Festival is an annual Easter celebration that happens at Kwahu in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The celebration is a 3 day long event with  activities such as paragliding, hiking, carnivals, street jams, masquerading  as well as the display of rich Ghanaian products including the kente, pots among others. There are durbars held by the chiefs as well. The activities are thrilling and worth experiencing. Not only do you have these activities, but you are treated to good meals and great tunes. Like any other festival, it is meant to bring people together to have fun, make friends thereby promoting peace and stability. Normally starts on Good Friday and ends three days after.

4. Accra Food Festival
Do you know why I love Ghana? We cherish and love to celebrate what we have. Accra Food Festival as the name suggests is basically about the celebration of foods and drinks we have here in Ghana. During the event, our indigenous foods are exhibited by the various restaurants in the country under one shed. Not only do they exhibit foods but there are crafts exhibition, arts  as well as beauty brands. Good News!! You get to taste various foods and even package some home. This year's event is taking place at Accra Polo Courts from the 22nd to 23rd of September 2018 at a moderate entry fee.

5. Afrochella Street Style Festival
Afrochella  Street Style Festival is a festival aimed at fighting the misconceptions about  Ghanaian fashion. It's a day where individuals display of fashion comes to play. This is all done in the bid to appreciate Africa's effort in the fashion sector as well as the art and entertainment industry. During this festival, we are treated to top performances from high profile Ghanaian artists among others. There are also the display of crafts, arts and pottery work. It was launched last year and was held on the 29th of December at the Accra Polo Court.

 Anytime you find yourself in Ghana, these are the five must experience festivals you should have a feel of before leaving to your country, because it's really going to give you a different dimension to the way you look at things in life.

Thanks for reading. Do well to leave a comment below.