Ghana has expressed a keen interest in being a part of this year’s Season of Emancipation activities, as government emphasises the need for culture not to be seen as just about entertainment.
Minister with responsibility for Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight speaking during the official launch at Sky Mall that culture will play a major role in Barbados’ development going forward.
“Too often, the view of culture has been [that it is] something that we do for entertainment, that it is something that we do on the side. We say that with the launch of this season of Emancipation, no more of that,” she stated.
Senator Munro-Knight added: “The full weight of culture and the values of culture, of the morals, of the traditions, of the business of culture as well is, and will be critical to the development of Barbados as we go forward.”
The Minister shared that discussions will be held with Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, to see how that country’s artists can participate.
“They are so enthusiastic that they are saying to us that they want to have talks about a charter flight for people coming from Ghana to Barbados to participate. Just today [yesterday] in an email exchange, we learned as well that there is so much interest in the Season of Emancipation and we have had calls from the missions that Barbados holds in various countries to make sure that we move the Season of Emancipation from within these borders and into the wider diaspora because they are interested,” Senator Dr. Munro-Knight underlined.
There were also remarks from Government’s Special Envoy to the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement, Trevor Prescod; and Cultural Ambassador The Most Honourable Stedson “Red Plastic Bag” Wiltshire. There were also performances from cultural ambassadors The Most Honourable Anthony “Gabby” Carter and Alison Hinds.
The formal proceedings were preceded by a procession and the laying of flowers at the base of the Emancipation Statue in commemoration of the 206th Anniversary of the 1816 revolt.
The Season OF Emancipation runs from April 14 to August 31.