Featuring Award-Winning Ghanaian Dancehall Artist Stonebwoy, Spotify Africa Manager Benewaah Boateng; founder of Surf Ghana, Sandy Alibo; COO of Republic Bank, Ray Klein, and more
WoodxWatta Bashment Party to Follow, January 4
WoodxWatta, Ghana’s newest Afro-Caribbean festival, hosted its inaugural business brunch on Monday, December 26, 2022 at the Design Mix Hub, Osu.
WoodxWatta, a two-day Afro-Caribbean festival, kicked off with a Business Brunch on Monday, December 26 and featured two-panel discussions focused on culture and business with some of the industry’s top representatives; 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 magnates as panelists, namely: Tenille Clarke, CEO of Chambers Media Solutions; 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 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.
WoodxWatta will conclude the “December in Ghana” activities on January 4 with a proper bashment at luxury venue The Underbridge in East Legon. More than just a party, this culturally immersive experience will celebrate the possibilities of our shared futures and the collective liberation of the Black diaspora through Dancehall and Afrobeats. Patrons can expect sounds from renowned DJ and producer Blaq Pages and others, as well as surprise appearances. Tickets are available now for purchase.
“Whether its homecoming or December in Ghana, we travel and gather – celebrate and party, but I think a lot is left on the table when we’re not engaging each other on the economic front,” says founder Lakeisha Ford. “WoodXWatta is about deepening and expanding our connection to create the future we want to see for ourselves.” Tickets are available now for purchase via the WoodxWatta website.
“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.”
WoodxWatta is officially sponsored by Zeepay, Travel Deeper, Republic Bank, and Jameson. The festival is endorsed by the Consulate of Jamaica, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, and Beyond the Return with collaborative support from Chambers Media and Oaccess Jamaica. Stay tuned for more announcements on lineup, programming, and more.