Charles Cobbinah presenting the masquerade dress to the Deputy High Commissioner
The Deputy Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, Rita Tani Iddi, has assured organisers of the Sekondi-Takoradi Christmas City Project that the High Commission will help push the project to earn the global recognition it seeks.
She commended the organisers for the sterling efforts in turning good attraction to the masquerade festival, as well as the “desire to send it global.”The Deputy Ghana High Commissioner gave the assurance when the project lead of the Sekondi-Takoradi Christmas City Project, Charles Cobbinah, presented her with a 2023 masquerade uniform and cups of the ‘Iron Fighters’ masquerade group.
Rita Tani Iddi, who is a long-standing fan of masquerade parades, recounted her days at the Holy Child Training College in Takoradi where she used to see the spectacular displays of masquerade groups in the Sekondi area.
She was happy that the masquerade parade has been sustained for decades and with several modifications.She is therefore confident that the decision by the organisers to seek the support of the High Commission is “a good decision as it will open a lot of doors because we will put it on the front burner.”
“I look forward to the edition that will be held here in London or anywhere in the UK,” she said.
For his part, Charles Cobbinah expressed his wish for the Deputy High Commissioner to become an ambassador and help rally support and the necessary attention for the project in the United Kingdom.
He said the decision to seek the support of the High Commission sits with the fact that “we want the project to gain an official endorsement and acceptance.”“We are well aware of how far the project can travel should the High Commission decide to take a lead role in our collective efforts to sell the masquerade parade,” he stressed.
The Head of Chancery, Peprah Ampratwum, suggested that in the not too distant future, organisers should consider running activities for Ghanaian children born in the UK for them to know their roots.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi