WoodxWatta, Ghana’s newest Afro-Caribbean festival, hosted its inaugural festival this Detty December in Accra, Ghana, which was featured in Essence Magazine. The two-day Afro-Caribbean festival, recently kicked off with a Business Brunch on Monday, December 26, which featured two panel discussions focused on culture and business with some of the industry’s top representatives; and closed with a tete-a-tete conversation with Ghanaian Dancehall Artist Stonebwoy and renowned Nigerian-American culture journalist Ivie Ani.
The brunch, which was organized by Ford Communications in partnership with Ghana’s Office of Diaspora Affairs, had a programme lineup that included panel discussions with culture and business visionaries from across the diaspora, live DJs, an interactive Afro-Caribbean brunch featuring an authentic Jamaican menu, and networking opportunities. The discussions focused on the long term Afro-Caribbean visions of culture, technology, real estate, trade, and mutual investment potential.
WoodxWatta Business brunch was hosted by Lakeshia Ford, MD, Ford Communications, and six (6) business and culture magnates as panelists, namely: Ray Klein, COO, Republic Bank, Benewaah Boateng, Manager of Spotify Africa, Sandy Alibo, founder of Surf Ghana, Leticia Browne, Zeepay Head of Market, Inclusion & Advocacy, Ivie Ani, culture writer for Amazon Music, and special guest Afro-dancehall artist Stonebwoy.
“In the end what are we really here for if we don’t live for one another, and expand as a race. The little things matter – just the small connections, whether it’s art, culture, business, entertainment,” said Stonebwoy.
The business brunch invited the visiting diaspora and Ghanaian investors to shift their focus to the collaborative future of Ghana and the Caribbean; and unlock industry, trade, and investment opportunities between the two regions.
Spotify Africa manager Benewaah Boateng noted “The first WoodxWatta festival opened conversation and interest about Africa and the Caribbean in ways I hadn’t previously thought of. It was very interesting to connect with stakeholders across different industries with interests in both regions. The team put everything together so thoughtfully and seamlessly. Looking forward to more of these brilliant platforms that will incite partnerships across industries and countries in future.”
“There is more than $1 Billion in trade and export potential between Africa and the Caribbean. We are anchored by our cultural connection, but it’s time for emerging markets to start collaborating, economically. This festival is the answer to that call for the Caribbean and Ghana, and Africa, at large,” says founder Lakeisha Ford.
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