Francophone Community Marks International Francophonie Day in Accra
By Selorm GBORBIDZI, Accra
The Francophone Community in Ghana, comprising all citizens of French-speaking nations (Francophonie) have climaxed the 2024 edition of the International Francophonie Festival with a parade and festival in Accra.
The Day, which is celebrated globally, was attended by citizens of French-speaking countries like la Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Congo Brazzaville, Senegal, Yemen, Belgium, and France, among others. There was also a huge contingent of Ghanaian French speakers who participated in the day’s activities.
The Day began with a float dubbed the ‘Francophone Walk,’ which started from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
It was attended by hundreds of Francophonie, amidst music and dancing.
The float went through Adabraka, all the way to the Graphic Road Intersection and ended at the forecourt of the AMA.
Later in the day, there was a fair and festival at Alliance Francais, where the various participating nations exhibited the food, fashion and scents from their home.
There was a lot of completion on the performance floor where various music and dance forms from participating nations were also displayed to the admiration of the crowd.
Some of the exhibitors who spoke to The Finder expressed their satisfaction with the exhibition and patronage. Charles Kodzo Awuja, a Togolese exhibitor, expressed satisfaction with the day’s events.
A Moroccan exhibitor who had some cosmetics and fashion items on display, welcomed the idea of an exhibition, noting that it would help bridge the cultural gap between her home country and Ghana.
According to her, not any Ghanaians were familiar with Moroccan culture, so opportunities for cultural exchange of this nature are important bridge builders.
Ghanaian entrepreneur and founder of Horseman, Tonyi Senayah, who had his wares on display, was very excited at the opportunity to make new connections with a new group of people.
He said, “for us, it is an opportunity for us to introduce the brand to the French community. Most of them had not heard of the brand, but they are more than surprised that we make these shoes here, so they are really excited that we are here.”
The President of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors, Maher Kheir, who is also the Ambassador of Lebanon, in an interview with The New Finder said the month-long festival of activities expressed his appreciation to the Government of Ghana, and the other Missions who participated to make the festival a success.
The President of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors, Maher Kheir, who is also the Ambassador of Lebanon, in an interview with The New Finder said the month-long festival of activities expressed his appreciation to the Government of Ghana, and the other Missions who participated to make the festival a success.
