The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts is set to host this year’s edition of the Accra Street Carnival on the 28th and 29th of June 2014.
The event, dubbed “My Culture Rocks” is aimed at diversifying the country’s tourism, cultural and Creative Arts products and use the event as a tool to create employment and income opportunities for Ghanaians. The Ministry further seeks to use the event as an incubator for creative industries, skills development and providing individuals with creative opportunities that they might not otherwise have previously considered.
The 2014 Carnival which is anticipated to involve all the 32 participating Nations in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, is projected to attract over five thousand (5000) participants from within Ghana and the Diaspora, far over the 2013 Ghana Carnival which attracted One Thousand, Five Hundred participants.
The event will commence with the congregation of participants at the Nima Cluster of Schools, from where there will be a procession through the Ring Road, Osu Oxford Street and finally converging at the Black Star Square, where giant screens will be mounted for soccer funs participating in the carnival to have the opportunity to watch the live matches of the World Cup soccer fiesta for the two days, amidst fanfare.
Patrons and commuters alike are assured of enough security arrangements that have been put in place to ensure a smooth carnival, so that the event does not unduly interfere with pedestrian and vehicular movements.
This year’s street carnival is undoubtedly going to be the biggest yet. There has been huge interest from the corporate world and many media houses to ensure the sustainability of the carnival. The Ministry is however seeking a “headline sponsor” for the event, and our doors are still opened.
Street Carnivals over the years have been organized by many developed and developing countries as central component of the wider regeneration of urban areas; since the event provides a platform for regeneration of municipalities, social, cultural, human and intellectual capital and also generate support for local economic development.
It is worth- mentioning that a Carnival teaser organized by the Ministry in September, 2012 was followed with the maiden event in June, 2013. It is one of the many cultural events the Ministry is using to increase the attractiveness of the country for tourism and potential investors.
Source: Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts