The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says this year’s edition of the popular annual street art festival dubbed: “Chale Wote Festival” will be held virtually.
The AMA said, “this has become necessary due to the surge in the COVID 19 cases and in compliance with the President’s 26th update on the COVID 19 protocols for people to avoid large gatherings to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus”.
In a press statement release, it said the management of the AMA and organizers of the festival had agreed that all lined up programs would be broadcasted on virtual platforms such as social media and other online channels to enable all enthusiasts to follow the activities.
The AMA in the statement said contrary to previous events that is associated with large crowd, there would be no outdoor activity that will require in-person participation during this year’s festival running from 13th to 21st August 2021.
“The AMA wishes to use this opportunity to rally the citizenry to show interest in the event and support the various activities by participating through the online platforms. The Assembly is also urging all and sundry to follow the events social media handles and website for updates”.
AMA
Chale Wote festival goes virtual to protect lives
Initially, the organizers of the festival issued a statement challenging the decision by the AMA to hold the event virtually.
However, the CEO of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, has said the decision to advise organizers of the Chale Wote Festival to hold a virtual event is to protect lives amidst a recent spike in COVID-19 deaths.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Adjei Sowah said: “What we have done is to encourage them to do it virtually, the way they were able to put out statements and have conversations with people on their social media handles is the same way we’re encouraging them to do so.
“The numbers that come onto the streets anytime there is this festival; tens of thousands, we will not be able to control it and they know that”.
Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah,
Further touching on the issue, the AMA boss said: “Before COVID-19 a lot of the activities had been moved indoors, so it is not something new, the Chale Wote festival happens right on my street, where I have been sitting throughout my life”.
Adjei Sowah said the AMA is not against the street festival which over the years attracted tourists into the country.
“So, I have been part of it when I wasn’t even chief executive. And since I had the mandate, I provided the necessary support. We will continue to do so because it is part of an Accra brand which we are happy to make sure that always comes on.
“Even in Europe, there are restrictions being imposed over there. So, I do not think that the argument here is about going ahead with the event or not, it’s about life and the COVID-19”.
Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah,
Chale Wote Street Art Festival is a Ghanaian-originated festival that brings together art, music, dance, and performance onto the streets. This year’s edition of the festival marks the tenth year of its launch in 2011 to promote and appreciate diverse forms of art in Ghana.
The festival aims to promote the appreciation of diverse forms of art in Ghana. As a result, it is usually marked with fashion parades, photography, sessions, food markets, street boxing, movie screenings, and many others.
It is worth noting that Chale Wote also attracts over two thousand artists and art lovers both locally and on the international front.
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