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The Success of Anansekrom Toon Festival: Celebrating Africa’s Cartoon Talent
The second edition of the Anansekrom Toon Festival, Africa’s International Cartoon Festival, concluded in grand style, marking another successful celebration of creativity and talent. Held on December 26, 2024 (Boxing Day), in the vibrant city of Accra, this year’s festival witnessed an impressive turnout of artists, enthusiasts, and visitors from across the continent and beyond.
Parables Animation Studios (PAS), the producers of Ghana’s first-ever animated feature film, the animation streaming platform KOLIKO+, and Africa’s first environmental superhero animated series, proudly powered the 2nd edition of ANANSEKROM TOON FESTIVAL (ATF 2024). This event, which started last year as Ghana’s first cartoon festival, commemorated the tenth anniversary of PAS’ renowned “Time with Ananse Live On Stage” theatrical shows at the Silverbird cinemas. Now widely known as Africa’s International Cartoon Festival, it features inspiring African artists and their amazing works.
A Celebration of Folklore and Creativity
The ANANSEKROM TOON FESTIVAL (ATF) is a two-day festival celebrating Ananse projects and African folklore using both traditional and modern forms of communication. The event included art and craft exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, live folkloric music, poetry and storytelling, animation screenings, puppetry, sip and paint sessions, live caricature drawing, a caveman experience, and other engaging activities.
The festival commenced with an opening ceremony at the National Children & Mobile Library in the Airport residential area. Mr. Edward Addo-Yobo, the Regional Director of the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) for Greater Accra, Cycil Jones Abban, the Director of the Anansekrom Toon Festival, and V.T. Albert Tetteh Amafu, the Manager, alongside other dignitaries and media friends, officially launched the event.
Following the opening ceremony, dignitaries toured the event grounds, led by V.T. Albert Tetteh. Attendees were astounded by the exceptional creativity and versatility of cartoon artists from various African countries, including Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Benin, and Cameroon.
Panel of Legends and Engaging Activities
One of the highlights of the festival was the “Panel of Legends” session, an awe-inspiring discussion featuring Pierre Anani Accoh (cartoonist & illustrator, Togo), Tunji Anjorin (President of Panaramic Comics, Nigeria), Mr. Edward Addo-Yobo (Regional Director, GhLA), Baah A. Solomon (Socio-political artist, Ghana), Dr. Wale Okediran (Secretary General of Pan-African Writers Association), and others who joined via Zoom. Under the theme “UNITING AFRICA THROUGH ART,” they shared wisdom on the past, present, and future of Ghana and Africa’s animation and creative industry. The discussion, facilitated by V.T. Albert Tetteh, concluded with a lively Q&A session.
The festival also featured a range of activities, including “Color on My Wall,” Sip and Paint, Art/Craft and Animation workshops, screenings, the Caveman Experience, “Lend Your Voice To Animation” contests, art and cartoon exhibitions, and traditional games.
Animation workshops led by Parables’ Martin Dzakobo (Senior Animator), Caris Tachie-Menson (Animator/illustrator), and Dawud Abdul Mumin (3D Character Designer) provided a firsthand experience of Stop-Motion Animation and more. These sessions were well-attended, and many parents signed up their children for future workshops.
Special Screenings and Awards
A special Student Animation Screening session showcased works by student film producers from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the National Film and Television Institute/University of Media, Arts and Communication. This inspiring session was praised by parents and stakeholders, encouraging them to continue exposing their children to worthy content produced in Ghana and Africa.
The festival concluded with memorable nighttime performances of live folkloric music and poetry, storytelling by the fireside, drama, and a dazzling display of puppetry and musical narratives in “Time with Ananse Live On Stage.” The top three winners of the day’s contests and workshops received prizes from Indomie Ghana and other partners, presented by Hiram Geraldo (Marketing Executive – Indomie Ghana). Major animated feature film screenings and discussions were also part of the festivities.
An Unforgettable Experience
The unique nature of the Anansekrom Toon Festival amazed all who attended, providing something special for people of all ages. The festival was a resounding success, promising an even greater experience next year. Africa, get ready!
ATF 2024 was proudly powered by Parables Animation Studios (@Parables_Gh) in partnership with the Ghana Library Authority, sponsored mainly by Indomie Ghana, and supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana. It was officially endorsed by the Ghana Tourism Authority’s “Beyond The Return” initiative.
MEDIA PARTNERS: ATV Ghana, Ameyaw Debrah, TV Africa, GTV, OnlineTimes GH, Graphic Communication Group, GhanaWeb, World News Update, Junior Graphic…
Anansekrom Toon Festival: Africa’s International Cartoon Festival. @AnansekromToonFestival on all socials, X (formerly Twitter): @AnanseToonFest anansekromtoonfestival@gmail.com +233265068758
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ATF 2024 is proudly powered by Parables Animation Studios (@Parables_Gh) in partnership with the GHANA LIBRARY AUTHORITY, sponsored mainly by INDOMIE GHANA and with the support of the EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN GHANA. Officially endorsed by the GHANA TOURISM AUTHORITY “Beyond The Return” Initiative.
MEDIA PARTNERS: ATV Ghana, Ameyaw Debrah, TV Africa, GTV, OnlineTimes GH, Graphic Communication Group, GhanaWeb, World News Update, Junior Graphic
W.E.B Dubois Memorial Centre For Pan African Culture Hosts Black Resistance Month
February is Black History Month.
Black History Month is celebrated to remember the important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.
Black history month has been Observed for 53 years. Black History Month is celebrated to raise the Flag of Liberation (Red, Black, Green and Yellow)
- Black represents the dark-skinned peoples of sub-Saharan from which the African Diaspora sprang forth.
- Red represents the pain and bloodshed through struggles for liberation.
- Green represents the fertile lands of continental Africa.
- Yellow is used, to represents the immense riches to be found in many countries across continental Africa.
This month is a time for each of us to reflect on a complicated history that stretches around the world to any place where people of African descent were forcibly transported or willfully migrated in search of opportunities.
We will continue to celebrate Black History Month throughout February to highlight Black and African heritage as a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It is important for all of us to educate ourselves and each other in ways that reinforce the idea that our histories, realities, and futures are interwoven.
W. E. B. DuBois Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture Ghana have a week program for you .
Starting from 16th February to 23rd February 2023
16th – 18th February 2023 is Exhibition (Arts and Craft)
20th February is a History Talk Show
21st -22nd is History Movie of Our Nobel Freedom Fighters
23rd February is WEB DuBois 155th Birthday
WEB DuBois Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture invite everyone to join grace the occasion
For more information
Contact :0560244480
:0548030228
Ghana welcomes 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors to fulfill their dream of visiting Africa
There was so much anticipation and emotion while waiting for the flight carrying two survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre to arrive in Accra. In 1921, the area of Greenwood in the city of Tulsa Oklahoma was burned down by a mob of whites who targeted the thriving black community. Thousands were left homeless and many were killed in the attack. Viola Fletcher, aka, ‘Mother Fletcher’, who was 7 years old at the time is till haunted by memories of the viscous attack. She’s often said that it’s been a dream to visit Africa before she sees God and this journey would fulfill that desire. Fletcher, who is 107 years old, and her brother Hughes Van Ellis, aka ‘Uncle Red’ age 100, have successfully fulfilled the lifelong dream of coming to Africa when they landed in Accra yesterday afternoon.
Co-Founding Chair of the African Legacy Foundation, Dr. Toni Luck, who flew in from Johannesburg, South Africa and Ambassador Erieka Bennett, who is Head of Missions at the Diaspora African Forum, both were so filled with joy knowing that they were about to land in Ghana. “It’s like waiting for my own grandmother,” Bennett said. Dr. Luck, was pacing around the VIP lounge with so much excitement like a child on Christmas morning. She said she’s met Mother Fletcher before, but this moment was more special than any other.
There was so much anticipation and emotion while waiting for the flight carrying two survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre to arrive in Accra. In 1921, the area of Greenwood in the city of Tulsa Oklahoma was burned down by a mob of whites who targeted the thriving black community. Thousands were left homeless and many were killed in the attack. Viola Fletcher, aka, ‘Mother Fletcher’, who was 7 years old at the time is till haunted by memories of the viscous attack. She’s often said that it’s been a dream to visit Africa before she sees God and this journey would fulfill that desire. Fletcher, who is 107 years old, and her brother Hughes Van Ellis, aka ‘Uncle Red’ age 100, have successfully fulfilled the lifelong dream of coming to Africa when they landed in Accra yesterday afternoon.
Co-Founding Chair of the African Legacy Foundation, Dr. Toni Luck, who flew in from Johannesburg, South Africa and Ambassador Erieka Bennett, who is Head of Missions at the Diaspora African Forum, both were so filled with joy knowing that they were about to land in Ghana. “It’s like waiting for my own grandmother,” Bennett said. Dr. Luck, was pacing around the VIP lounge with so much excitement like a child on Christmas morning. She said she’s met Mother Fletcher before, but this moment was more special than any other.
When the car pulled up with the two centenarians everyone applauded with overwhelming joy. Mother Fletcher and Uncle Redd both stepped out of the airport car, grabbed their walkers and made their way into the VIP lounge to be greeted by everyone. After all the necessary protocols were taken care of at the airport, the siblings were escorted to their vehicles and made their way to their hotel where they were greeted with a true Ghanaian welcome featuring a cultural display of drumming and dancing in their honour. Uncle Redd was spotted moving his hands to the beat of the drum and Mother Fletcher’s eyes showed true joy as her grandson, Ike Vernon Howard, spun her around in a wheelchair dancing to the music.
The Diaspora African Forum played a big role in coordinating with Our Black Truth to make this trip a success with the support of The Diaspora Affairs Office of the President, Beyond the Return and Ghana Tourism Authority. The coming week is filled with some activities that will give them an opportunity to experience Ghana, learn the culture and history while meeting some wonderful people. Fletcher and Van Ellis are in for the experience of a lifetime.
By Ivy Prosper
Ghana receives global Safe Travels Stamp from World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
Ghana has become the latest recipient of the world’s first-ever global Safe Travels Stamp, (formerly safety and hygiene stamp), launched recently by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The stamp created by the WTTC in May this year, allows travellers to identify destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted the global standardised health and hygiene protocols.
A statement issued by the WTTC which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector said the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has welcomed the Safe Travels Stamp, which places the safety and hygiene of travellers as a top priority.
The WTTC President & CEO, Gloria Guevara said: “Our Safe Travels Stamp continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted to see even more popular countries and destinations from all corners of the world adopt our global health and hygiene protocols.
“The stamp also recognises the introduction of new measures by governments around the world which positively impact the Travel & Tourism sector, and to that end, we applaud the government of Ecuador for implementing new measures at Quito airport.
“The continued success of the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp demonstrates its importance not only to countries, destinations and businesses around the world, but crucially travellers, and the millions of people around the world who work in and depend on, a thriving Travel & Tourism sector.
“The stamp is critical to re-establish consumer confidence in our sector and ensure travellers can rest assured that enhanced standards of hygiene are in place and they can once again experience ‘Safe Travels’.”
Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon Barbara Oteng-Gyasi said: “We are delighted with this milestone of a Safe Travels Stamp for Ghana. Since March 21, 2020, when our borders were closed, we have worked on creating a safe environment for our Tourism and Travel practitioners. The protocols we have put in place are borne out of a shared responsibility to create a hygienic and safe destination.
“With the gradual easing of restrictions, we believe these measures will boost confidence in our tourism and hospitality sector. We congratulate the WTTC for instituting these Safe Travels protocols which is a welcome addition to the tourism industry.”
Since the launch of the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp, destination countries and cities, around the world have now adopted WTTC’s new protocols, including holiday heavyweights such as Tunisia, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Portugal, Kenya, Mauritius and Dubai.
As part of its Safe Travels protocols, the worldwide measures provide consistency and guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing, in the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world.
The protocols were devised following the experience of WTTC members dealing with COVID-19 and based on guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.
Source: Graphic Online
AfCFTA Secretariat Building Officially Commissioned and Handed Over in Accra, Ghana
It was a historic day for Africa as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat building was officially commissioned and handed over on Monday 17th August 2020 in Accra, Ghana. President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was in attendance and delivered a keynote address. The president said that he has no doubt that the coming into being of the African Continental Free Trade Area is one of the most important decisions taken by the African Union.
He announced that Ghana fulfilled her obligations and was handing over a “fully furnished and befitting office space, in a secured and easily accessible location within the business centre of Accra, as a permanent Secretariat of the AfCFTA.” The formation of AfCFTA, is truly the realization of pan African visionary and first President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, who was one of the Founders and Organisation Heads of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration said that part of the agenda when the OAU, now known as the African Union (AU), was founded, was for African countries to explore their full potential in order to better negotiate on a global scale. She said that the Africa we want has a shared framework and we know the road ahead will not be easy. “Our belief must be in ourselves and in our collective abilities as Africans,” she said.
One sentiment expressed by all speakers was how important regional integration is and the significance of the AfCFTA’s role in deepening trade within the continent. President Akufo-Addo spoke of how the economic integration of Africa will lay a strong foundation for an Africa Beyond Aid. He also said, “The pandemic has heightened the importance of the success of the AfCFTA. The disruption of global supply chains has reinforced the necessity for closer integration amongst us, so that we can boost our mutual self-sufficiency, strengthen our economies and reduce dependence on external resources.”
H.E. Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, is the first elected Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat and commended Ghana for her contribution to the pan Africanist movement. “Since the end of colonialism, the Republic of Ghana has been at the forefront of the integration of Africa,” he said, “…so it’s significant that the AfCFTA Secretariat is in Ghana.” He said that Africa has the potential to be a catalyst to improve the continent’s competitiveness in its own markets as well as internationally.
Hon. Alan Kyerematen, Minister for Trade and Industry Ghana, said, “Less than 15% of Africa’s total trade occurs within the region. The paradox of Africa being the richest continent and yet the poorest could partly be attributed to this unfortunate situation.” He stressed the importance of everyone involved to have a level of sustained commitment for the effective implementation of AfCFTA. He said he was confident that all challenges can be addressed when working together. He implored everyone to “Be inspired by the prospect of success in realizing our vision of a single united market for Africa.”
President of the Republic of Niger, H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, sent a supporting message by video since he was unable to attend the official ceremony. He was praised throughout the event for his championing of the AfCFTA.
President Akufo-Addo handed over the symbolic key to the newly commissioned Secretariate Office to the Chairperson of the African Union, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt. Shortly after the ceremony ended and selected persons were given a tour of the new facility.
Earlier This Year
H.E. Wamkele Mene, of South Africa, was elected as the first Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat. He was sworn in on 19th March 2020 for a four-year period and would be based in the new Secretariate office located in Accra, Ghana. His role is to lead the Secretariate in daily strategies to support the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement.
The ‘Agenda 2063’: The Africa We Want, is the flagship initiative of the AfCFTA. This is a plan for transforming Africa into a global competitor. With goals to work on a strategic framework for the continent’s drive for unity, progress and prosperity. The AfCFTA will be focused on building intra-African trade through mutually beneficial trade agreements with member states. This will cover trade in goods, investments, services and intellectual property rights. There is also the goal of increasing Africa’s current intra-trade levels of 10-13% to 25% or more over the next 10 years.
The Agenda 2063 documents can be found on the African Union website.
By: Ivy Prosper
Women in business and tourism call on the Tourism Minister, Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi
Executives of Women in Business and Tourism pay a Courtesy Call on Hon Minister of Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture to welcome her to her new role as the Minister of Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture. The Executive team was led by the President of Women in Business and Tourism Miss Eunice Ogbugo, the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Organiser, Media and Publicity.
Members of the Group recently visited South Africa for Africa’s Travel Indaba and the Women in Tourism Dinner that was held there were members of Women in Business and Tourism from other SADC countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Angola were present including Ghana and Nigeria representing West Africa.
The Group informed the Honourable Minister of their plans to officially launch the Women in Business and Tourism Ghana Chapter and West Africa or Ecowas Chapter in Ghana on the 28th of June 2019 at which they have requested the presence of the Honourable Minister to give a keynote address as her Ministry is one of the umbrella ministries they work hand in hand with. The other Ministries the group works under are the Ministry of Business Development, The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Group also informed the Minister of the reason for the name Women in Business and Tourism because Tourism is multi-sectoral and works for hand in hand with various sectors such as construction, telecom, banking and finance, health and wellness, fashion industries, hospitality, beauty, agriculture, aviation, etc not forgetting the services such as law, accounting, etc etc. The President informed the Minister that their group comprised women owning companies or businesses in all these various sectors including the Tourism industry.
The main objective of the Group is to see to the ownership of Businesses by women, expansion of existing businesses from Small scale to large enterprises, diversification from one Business into other businesses or other business sectors or areas, and expansion beyond the borders of our various countries into other Africa Countries.
By: Kakra Kusi
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