The Planning Committee of the much-awaited Transnational Cultural Festival dubbed “Sàkeva Festival” to be held in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has organized
a press briefing to give the media an insight into the upcoming event.
Addressing the media, the Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan, Hon. Abdul-Mumin Issah, revealed that Sàkeva is an Ahanta dialect, which means “Sankofa”
in Akan, which translates in English as “go back and get it”. He indicated that the festival was geared towards developing and promoting the artwork of
local artists, heritage sites, artefacts and cultural celebrations in the Metropolis, adding that the festival would serve as a platform to highlight the
critical role played by the arts and crafts sector to create employment and promote tourism.
He further indicated that the event would encourage cultural exchange and dialogue between Sekondi-Takoradi and its sister-city, Palermo, Italy. “The STMA is collaborating with identifiable Departments and Agencies to reposition the arts and crafts sector as a pillar for local economic development”, he added. The Team Leader for the Italian Delegation from Palermo, Francesco Campagna, explained that the partnership wants the Ghanaian Community to understand and value their culture. He said culture is a way people get in touch with others, adding that the sister city collaboration is to help the people of Sekondi-Takoradi and Palermo have a new idea of art experience. He pointed out that the cultural seed about to be planted in the twin-city is to connect the two cities to enhance the cultural heritage of the Metropolis.
On his part, the Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director, Mr. Innocent Haligah, mentioned that the Sàkeva Festival would be tied to the annual cultural calendar of the Assembly. The Presiding Member of the Assembly, Eugene Ofori-Atta, appealed to the media to create massive awareness ahead of the programme to ensure its success.