Patrons of this year’s Kwahu Paragliding Festival will dance to many songs, but Shata Wale’s hit song, Dance Hall King has been given the recognition as the theme song for the annual festival.
Although its popularity may have waned a bit now following newer releases by the artiste, the Ghana Tourism Authority has endorsed the controversial musician’s song as the tune for the 9th Paragliding festival scheduled for April 18-22, 2014.
The choice follows a trend started in 2010 when the GTA chose Nana Boroo’s crowd pulling “Aha Ayɛdɛ” to celebrate the festival.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz, Mr Ben Ohene Aryeh, the Public Relations Officer of the GTA said the Authority since 2010 went for a song that topped charts and dominated the music scene in order to attract the youth.
“The programme is driven by the youth, so it is important we give them the song that made waves across the country,” he explained.
In 2011, 5Five’s Mugye Baya gave patrons thrills at the festival. In 2012, it was the turn of Guru’s Lapaz Toyota to inject fun and excitement into the atmosphere.
Last year, Dr. Slim and Dobble’s Sɛkɛ gave the festival the flavour it needed.
Launching the festival, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, called on revelers to mark the season in the area with decency and respect to cultural values.
“Easter should not be a period of debauchery but one for reflection. It should be a time when we all resolve to work towards peace, unity and development,” she said.
The minister’s remarks follow public outcry against reports of promiscuity among some holiday makers during the festival.
Started in 2005, the paragliding festival has become the flagship programme of the Easter festivities in Kwahu and attracts thousands of people both local and foreign to the area.
Apart from the paragliding, the Easter celebrations in Kwahu is characterised by a plethora of entertainment, music and dancing, turning the area into a massive jamboree with crowds to rock it.
This year, 15 pilots from the United States, Peru, France, Belgium, Japan and Thailand will lead the sky maneuvering that many holiday makers look forward to during the festival.
Source: Graphic Showbiz