The 2013 edition of Festival de la Francophonie will on Saturday March 16, present Elemotho—the Namibian RFI-France 24 Discovery for 2012—in a mesmeric concert at the Alliance Française in Accra.
An acoustic guitarist, the music of Elemotho, who is also known as a modern lyricist, comprises a touch of rhythms from the Namibian desert that has been effectively blended with ethnic and global sounds.
On Wednesday March 20, a magical tale of Francophone women with a modern twist will entertain patrons with soulful music and dance during a special edition of La Paillote Takpekpe.
Sessime, the new Afro Rock star from Benin, is expected to mount the stage at the Alliance Française on Friday March 22, with a style of music that has endeared her to the hearts of music lovers and critics alike.
Her music is a curious blend of traditional percussion—kpezin tamtams, gota, calabash and talking drums—instruments that simply produce wild rhythms, which tend to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Cameroonian vocalist and prolific composer Armand Ntep will showcase his vocal talent on Saturday March 23, through a fusion of salsa, jazz, reggae and traditional lihongo rhythms from Cameroon. Balinga (Niger), Natural (Gabon) and Ishimwe (Rwanda) will join him on stage.
Other activities lined up include Conferences/Lectures (Maison Française, University of Ghana / Institute of Economic Affairs), Exhibition of Posters, Miss Alliance Française, Wine Tasting Workshop, Job Forum, Funfair and Fashion Shows (Alliance Française).
The festival is being sponsored by Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, BIC, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Lizzy Sports Complex, CFAO Motors, Novotel, Golden Exotics, Bollore, SG SSB and Institut Français.
By George Clifford Owusu