PANAFEST 2011

Panafest is a festival of African dance, music and other performing arts. A cultural event 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 African 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.

Panafest Programme

Thursday 21st July (Day 1)
Upon arrival in Accra, a representative from Blastours meets group for a transfer to the hotel. Spend the night in Accra ****

Friday 22nd July (Day 2)
Start the day with a visit to Osu to attend the Durbar of Chiefs and cultural performances for a colorful cultural experience. Experience a live band performance in the evening. Spend the night in Accra****

Saturday 23rd July (Day 3)
Set off in the early morning to experience a leisurely ferry ride on the Dodi Princess. This trip takes the whole day and will take you on a cruise along the Volta Lake. Enjoy a meal on the Ferry to a live band performance whilst it sails along the river. Spend the night in Akosombo ***

Sunday 24th July (Day 4)
Set off for the Central region with a stopover at the bead factory and market also to learn the art of bead making. Join in the Welcome and Reconciliation ceremony of the Emancipation celebrations at the Elmina Castle. Spend the night in Elmina***

Monday 25th July (Day 5)
Join in the Grand durbar and official opening ceremony of PANAFEST. Events will include a Grand Procession of Chiefs, Traditional Rulers and Queen mothers, Pan Africanists and artists in a royal display of pageantry. Spend the night in Elmina***

Tuesday 26th July (Day 6)
Participate in the opening ceremony of the PANAFEST Village Expo/Bazaar and witness a Traditional naming/marriage ceremonies. Continue trip to the Ashanti region. Spend the night in Kumasi****

Wednesday 27th July (Day 7)
Start the day with a visit to the Manhyia Palace, seat of the Ashanti Kingdom. Also visit the world famous Black and White Power Shrine of the master priest Nana Abbas. End the day with a visit to the Kumasi Cultural Center, where the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum can be found. Spend the night in Kumasi****

Thursday 28th July (Day 8)
Join in a cultural tour as part of the PANAFEST celebrations in Kumasi. This will include visits to the craft village of Adanwomase (Kente). Interact with locals and learn about the art and history of the craft. Continue from there to Ntonso, a village famous for adinkra design. Group members can learn the process of Adinkra printing from a Master and also stamp chosen motives on t-shirts. Spend the night in Kumasi****

Friday 29th July (Day 9)
Visit the Kejetia market, the largest open-air market in West Africa before returning to the Central Region. Spend the night in Elmina***

Saturday 30th July (Day 10)
Early morning visit the Kakum National Park, which comprises of undisturbed virgin Rainforest to experience a walking tour on the longest and highest canopy walkway in West Africa. We make a brief stopover at the Hans Botel, a resort partly built on stilts on a river with crocodiles, lots of birdlife and monkeys. Also visit the Cape Coast Castle, one of the best preserved castles. Spend the night in Elmina ***

Sunday 31st July (Day 11)
After breakfast, we visit the grounds of the PANAFEST to witness various activities such as exhibitions, plays and other cultural activities. In the evening participate in the reverential night; candle light processions and vigil to commemorate the Africans who died in the slave trade. There will be a ceremony and re-enactment of the slave passage through the “Door of No Return”. Midnight Declaration of Emancipation Day. This is the highlight of PANAFEST CELEBRATIONS. Spend the night in Elmina ***

Monday 1st Aug. (Day 12)
Set off to participate in an Emancipation Day celebration, which will be opened with a Grand Durbar of Traditional Chiefs. Witness this grand ‘colorful’ and spectacular event that showcases the pomp and pageantry of Ghana’s traditional rulers. These festivities are held at Assin Manso, the site of the “last bath” where slave are taken for bath before being shipped to the new world. Spend the night in Elmina ***

Tuesday 2nd Aug. (Day 13)
Free morning in Cape Coast before returning to Accra after lunch. Spend the night in Elmina ***

Monday 3rd August (Day 14)
Drive through the principal streets of Accra. This will include the Arts centre, W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, Independence Square, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and the National Museum. Spend the night in Accra****

Tuesday 4th August (Day 15)
Free day with an option to dolast minute shopping at the Makola market and to experience the hussle and bussle of a typical Ghanaian market. Also visit the Artistes Alliances Art Gallery. Early evening transfer to airport for check-in. (No overnight stay)

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