Review of Christmas events in Sekondi-Takoradi during Christmas: Westside Carnival and Tadifest

• Posted on December 27, 2018December 27, 2018
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Sekondi-Takoradi has for the umpteenth time registered her name in the annals of the history of Ghana as the best destination for Christmas. “Bebia 3wo biaa, December di 3fe Taadi” (Anywhere in the world that you are, you’ll surely miss Takoradi during December) Kofi Kinaata had affirmed this in his popular ‘Made in Taadi’ song.

The masqueraders who come out every Christmas has a way of reminding residents of the oil capital of Ghana that is it Christmas season. With a colourful fancy dress to beautify the city, the masqueraders do not only dance to the brass band but also imbibe the spirit of giving in a lot of people by presenting a money box to people they meet for Christmas gifts. This drives market women and some people who are aware of this tradition to change their money into smaller notes to be able to share them for a lot of the masqueraders.

The attention in Sekondi-Takoradi during the Christmas season is mostly on the masqueraders than other activities.

Now to the main events that took place in the Metropolis during Christmas:

TADIFEST

With the announcement of Tadifest by Empire FM, the people of Sekondi-Takoradi welcomed it with an embracing arms, like the excitement that comes with meeting a blind date for the first time. The shock waves that the announcement of the well-publicized Tadifest sent across the Metropolis was enough to compel any organizer who considered planning anything similar to rescind that decision, especially this year (2018).

www.233times.net with the expectation that this would spice up the predictable Westside Carnival by Skyy Power FM hurriedly published about the Tadifest as early as August 17, 2018. Variety they say is the spice of life so it was a news that made this medium joyfully embraced it with an early publication.

Even though the Tadifest had a four-day packed line-up, what is only focused on by Empire FM and patrons is the 25^th December masqueraders event. For that reason, the focus of this review would be strictly on the 25^th December of the Tadifest.

With high expectations, the people of Sekondi-Takoradi gathered at the Old John Sarbah road to witness what Empire FM is bringing on board the masqueraders celebration because the people were bored with the repetitive Westside Carnival from Skyy Power FM. To say that most of the patrons were highly disappointed would be an understatement. It was as if they were watching a Skyy Power FM’s Westside Carnival on the Old John Sarbah road but this time, it has been contracted to Empire FM to organize.

It appeared as if a staffer from Skyy power FM had given their programme line up to Empire FM to organize their Westside Carnival, but at an early date. The publicity and the expectation that the Tadifest promised is akin to having an exciting foreplay which preps one’s mind of a great ‘main-show’ but end up with an ‘Egyptian mummy’ lying stiff, shamefaced and confused about what to do next.

The Masters of Ceremony (MCs) of the masqueraders for Tadifest are better on air and indoor ceremonies but for a ceremony that attracted thousands of people, they were below average. One of the remarks by many people on social media is poor MCing for the masquraders event at Tadifest.

The MC for the Artistes’ Night which was headlined by Samini was also below average. He couldn’t engage the audience for an event which requires a lot of participation. That killed the vibe for the event, main reason why many are saying that Tadifest Artistes’ Night was “without any energy.” It is time Empire FM start grooming an MC for outdoor events if they really mean business.

Samini, Corp Sayvee, Oko GH, Shola, Aya, Yaw Lucas, Nero X, amongst others were some of the well lined up Artistes for the Artistes’ Night of Tadifest. Quite impressive performances from the Artistes especially Samini but he appeared on stage very late, about 1 am when most of the people had left and were exhausted. Samini himself according to online comments was not himself on that day. 

The highlight of the Tadifest was the DJ, Champagne who knew how to engage the audience with the right songs at the tight time. The Old John Sarbah Road which is a double road was spacious enough to accommodate the crowd and the numerous masqueraders. For a maiden edition, that was a good attempt even though it was too crude; lacked creativity and innovation.

WESTSIDE CARNIVAL

For 14 years, Skyy Power FM has embarked on this festival for the masqueraders who hitherto didn’t have any proper structure of how to display their uniqueness. Skyy Power FM brought these masqueraders under the Westside Carnival umbrella and were awarded for their costume, band and dresses.

The relocation of Westside Carnival from PWD Park to the Takoradi Amanful even though had received backlashes from people who complained that the new location is not spacious for a carnival which hosts more than 10,000 people, it appears people have accepted the Amanful area as the hub for Christmas.

If there has ever been a time to understand the meaning of “a photocopy cannot be like the original,” Skyy Power FM strongly sent that signal yesterday (26^th December, 2018) with the Westside Carnival. The boxing bout addition to the Westside Carnival gave it a different feel, especially to those who wanted something other than the usual.

The sound system at Westside Carnival as compared to that of Tadifest was better and the LED screen mounted on the Amanful-Day by Day stretch made those who couldn’t access direct view to the stage also watch it from anywhere. The presence of Empire FM in the organization of an event for the masqueraders has made Skyy Power FM leave their nonchalance state and has become innovative and creative in the organization of the Westside Carnival. Especially with Empire FM organizing theirs a day before Skyy’s it gives Skyy the maximum room to right the wrongs. 

Why was this year’s Westside Carnival only one day and not the usual three days? Financial constraints, complacency or lack of ideas for the other days aside the main carnival day?

The trophies presented to the Masqueraders to award them for best costume, band and overall best also made the Westside Carnival tower over the Tadifest. One unique thing about the Westside Carnival is that it requires the masqueraders to embark on a legacy project that would impact the lives of their members and not just the 25^th and 26^th December marching. This was also appreciated by patrons of the Westside Carnival as it was one of the points for scoring them.

MC for the carnival, Obonumah was absolutely fantastic. To have done this for more than decade, experience was employed by Skyy Power FM’s MCs to make it very exciting. The MC for the Artistes’ Night Ofvoko engaged the audience with his usual hilarious remarks and presentations. Well fit for any programme that demands crowd participation.

No wonder the Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi who is also the Deputy Minister of Aviation, Hon. Kobby Okyere Darko Mensah stayed at the Westside Carnival till 1 am when the last performer, Patapaa ended his performance.

Obrafour, Pappy Kojo, Ayesem, Patapaa, amongst others were some of the fine line-up Artistes for Westside Carnival. With the exception of Patapaa, every Artiste on the Westside Carnival delivered to expectation. Obrafour still got it, succinctly put!

Empire FM’s DJ Champane in the opinion of this Author did better than the DJ for the Westside Carnival’s fancy dress session. DJ Berry who took over during the musical concert time of Westside Carnival delivered to expectation.

There is still vacuum to be filled by other event organizers from 27^th December to 1^st January every year to make the Sekondi-Takoradi a complete Christmas destination.

At the end, Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital of the natural resource hub of Ghana won. Even bikers travelled all the way from Tema to also join this year’s celebration with their display in Sekondi-Takoradi.

Videos of the masqueraders display below;

Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson (www.233times.net) @nkcoomson on Twitter/Instagram