The National Federation of Masqueraders and Fancy Dress of Ghana (NFMFD) says digitisation is transforming how carnival activities are organised and experienced in the country.
Mr Eric Ohene Larbi, Patron of the Federation, has therefore appealed to the Government to provide the needed support to help unlock the full potential of digitisation within the carnival and cultural industry.
Mr Larbi made the call in Accra when he spoke to journalists after Ghana unveiled the Black Star Carnival.
He said digitisation had introduced several innovative approaches to carnival celebrations, including virtual carnival events, which allow concerts, parades and competitions to be streamed online.
According to him, event organisers could also adopt online ticketing systems through digital platforms for ticket sales, registration and other forms of payment.
Mr Larbi noted that digital platforms further allowed patrons to access event schedules, maps and participate in interactive sessions, while Virtual Reality (VR) experiences and enhanced social media engagement could deepen audience participation.
“There is also software that can be used to design and showcase well-crafted costumes, helping improve creativity and presentation,” he added.
Mr Martin Kwaku Bedzra, Vice President of the Federation, said training and mentorship in costume design and music production, as well as access to scholarships, grants, internships and apprenticeship programmes, would empower practitioners to actively participate in the cultural economy.
He said such initiatives would also help develop valuable skills among the youth and create sustainable employment opportunities.
Mr Andrew Kofi Duodu, Public Relations Officer of the Federation, said Ghana’s masquerade and fancy-dress traditions remained among the country’s most powerful cultural expressions, combining colour, discipline, music and symbolism.
He noted that in the Caribbean, carnival events generated thousands of jobs and contributed significantly to national economies.
“In Ghana, the Black Star Carnival could create opportunities for young people to develop skills and earn income, thereby helping to address unemployment,” he said.
Mr Duodu said the Federation would focus on increased content creation and position masquerade as a year-round cultural product, while supporting youth employment and skills development.
Meanwhile, the World Carnival Commission (WCC) has appointed some members of the Federation as ambassadors to support global collaboration and cultural exchange.
The ambassadors will serve as cultural connectors to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, participate in international engagements, preserve traditions and promote innovation and sustainable growth.
The WCC team has paid courtesy calls on Parliament and engaged key state institutions, including the Ministry of Tourism, the National Commission on Culture, the National Youth Authority, the Office of the President, the Diaspora Affairs Office, the Black Star Experience Office and the Ghana Tourism Authority.
The Federation has also invited the WCC to support the organisation of the Black Star Carnival to ensure its success and help build a cohesive Ghanaian masquerade brand that respects local identity while meeting international standards.
GNA
