Ghana has been selected as Honouree Country out of 24 countries for the Memphis in May International Festival (MIMIF) for the month long event slated for May.
The festival which is in its 44th edition was instituted by Memphis’ city officials to resuscitate the image of their city after the assignation of Dr Martin Luther King.
Speaking during a press briefing on Ghana’s selection, a
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mohammed Habibu
Tijani, lauded the move by the City of Memphis adding that it will create a
platform for Ghana to exhibit its rich culture and locally manufactured
products. .
“This means that for the whole month of May, Ghana will be
projected and afforded the opportunity to promote her rich arts and culture,
tourism, cuisine, investment opportunities and Made-in-Ghana products in the
city of Memphis (in the United States),” Mr Tijani remarked during a press
briefing on the MIMIF in Accra.
The press briefing was attended by an advance team of a 10-member delegation out of the expected 44 from the city of Memphis, Tennessee, United States, led by Mr William Weaver, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MIMIF.
The MIMIF was initiated in 1973 and the first country to be
saluted was Japan in 1977.Thus far, it has played host to 38 countries;
out of which six have been African – Egypt (1981), Kenya (1989), the Ivory
Coast (1994), Morocco (1999), South Africa (2004) and Tunisia (2010).
Ghana will, therefore, be the seventh African country and the
second West African country to be given a Country Salute” during this Festival.
According to Mr Tijani Ghana’s selection as the Honouree County was attributed to its stable democracy, strong economic outlook and her rich arts and culture.
He said as part of Honouree Country requirement, Ghana was expected to participate in a series of events forming part of the Festival celebration.
“It is my belief that this Festival will offer Ghana a huge opportunity to showcase her rich arts and culture, cuisines, art, sports, economy, education, fashion, music and theatrical performance,” he said.
He said the Festival offers enormous opportunities for
especially Ghana’s musicians and the entire cultural troupe who would have the
opportunity to showcase their artistic skills and talents.
For his part,Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of MIMIF, William Weaver said: “we, Memphinians are very excited to
host the country of Ghana. We love the richness of their culture.”
“The Memphinians have being more cited about celebrating Ghana. This is probably going to be one of the biggest celebrations for the city and for the country of Ghana.”
Meanwhile, Ghanaian music stars, Sarkodie and Stonebwoy have been selected to represent Ghana at the 2020 ‘Memphis in May International Festival’.
Story: Henry George Martinson/radiogoldlive.com
