There are over two hundred festivals, which is celebrated each year in Ghana. Among them are Adae and Akwasiddae, Dzwuwu, Apoo, Ngmayem, Dipo, Aboakyer/Antelope, Kundum, Fetu Afahye, Kobine, Odwira, and Sasabobrim and many others.

However, one of the most interesting festivals is AKWASIDAE FESTIVAL of the Ashantis. The Akwasidae festival is celebrated every 42 days in Ghana.

The Ashantis belive in the dead. Each time that a king dies, his stool ("chair") is sent to a special place where it is kept. It is the duty of the Asantehene , the Ashanti King to purify at every 42 days the s tools of the dead kings. The festival starts on Friday and it is called Adaefofie. It continues on Saturday and this is called Memeneda Dapaa. Both Friday and Saturday celebrations are performed behind close doors and the public cannot participate.

However, on Sunday, the king sits in state at a big durbar where the public is invited and anyone can shake hands for the first time with the king of Ashanti. All the chiefs and traditional people of Ashanti come to the durbar to pay allegiance to the king. This Sunday gathering is called the AKWESIDAE FESTIVAL.

For the year 2000, the following are the dates for the festival:
February 6, March 19, April 30, June 11, July 23, September 3, October 15, and November 26.

To continue,apart from the local festivals celebrated, Panafest is one international event to talk of.

PANAFEST.

GWTTA Welcome Dinner Parties.

Herewith details of Panafest.

PANEFEST: CONCEPT & HISTORY.

PANAFEST is a cultural even dedicated to the enhancement of the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the development of the African continent. It is organized biennially for Africans and people of Africa descent as well as all persons committed to the well being of Africans on continent and in the diaspora. The essential thrust of PANAFEST is to enhance DEVELOPMENT.

The festival was inspired and takes as its source a paper written in 1980 entitled, "PROPOSAL FOR A HISTORICAL DRAMA FESTIVAL IN CAPE COAST" by Dr. Efua Sutherland, who was one of Ghana's distinguished dramatists and Pan-Africanists. In 1991, her idea gained root and took shape in an expanded form as the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST). In October of that year, PANAFEST was officially launched and in December of the same year, the national phase of the festival was held in cape Coast, Ghana after a series of activities including a national playwriting competion and organized seminars and workshops on Pan-Africanism across the country.

These events laid the ground for the 1st Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST '92) which successfully took place in Cape Coast and Accra from 12th to 19th December 1992 under the theme "THE RE-EMERGENCE OF AFRICAN CIVILIZATION".

There have since been two other PANAFEST editions:
1. PANAFEST '94 - December 9-18, 1994
2. PANAFEST '97 - August 29 - September 7, 1997
3. PANAFEST '99 - July 26th - August 3rd
4. PANAFEST 2001 July 26th - August 3rd

1. AIMS OF PANAFEST

PANAFEST aims are:

(a) establish the truth about the history of Africa and the experiences of its people using the vehicle of African arts and culture.
(b) Provide a forum to promote unity between Africans on the continent and in the diaspora; and
(c) Affirm the common heritage of African peoples the world over and defining Africa's contribution to world civilization.

2. OBJECTIVES.

PANAFEST objectives are:

(a) To develop a framework for the identification and analysis of issue and needs, central to Africa's development and to the improvement of the quality of life of her people.
(b) To encourage regular reviews of Africa's developmental objectives, strategies and policies.
(c) To mobilise consensus on ends for the formulation of possible alternative options for development.

PANAFEST '2001 will be held in the cities of Cape Coast and Elmina.

Cape Coast used to be the capital of the Gold Coast (re-named Ghana) and within five minutes drive from Edina (Elmina), home of the famous Elmina, Castle (build in 1482). The Cape Coast and Elmina Castles were used as coastal transit pints for slaves during the period of the abominable Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Cape Coast is 144 kilometers from Accra - the capital city of Ghana.

3. PROGRAM OUTLINE.

(a) A Grand Durbar of Traditional Chiefs, Carnivals and other Manifestations.
(e) PANAFEST Bazaar and Trade Expo
(b) Reverential Events
(c) Major Performances in Music, Dance, and Drama
(d) A Pan-African Colloquium
(f) A Pan-African Visual Arts Exhibition
(g) An International Music Concert
(h) Tours and other Recreational Activities.