In a bid to deepen cultural collaboration and foster stronger diplomatic ties, Prince Segun Akanni, Publisher of The Drum Online Media and Convener of the prestigious Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival in Canada, paid a courtesy visit to the Ghana High Commission in Ottawa.
The visit, which comes as preparations for the third edition of the Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival gather steam, was aimed at building on existing relationships and securing continued support from the Ghanaian mission for the 2025 event.
Prince Akanni extended his appreciation to the Commission for its pivotal support in the previous edition, notably marked by the presence of His Excellency Ambassador Anselm Sowah, the former Ghana High Commissioner to Canada, at the grand finale of the 2024 festival. He also formally invited the Ghanaian delegation to participate once again in this year’s celebration.
In response, Mr. Simon Atieku, the Minister and Acting Head of Mission at the Ghana High Commission, commended Akanni’s cultural initiative and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to preserving and promoting African heritage. He expressed readiness to support and attend the 2025 edition, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in cultural revival.
“This visit is another key step in uniting African voices through heritage and cultural diplomacy,” Atieku noted. “We’re proud to support platforms that celebrate the richness of African identity.”
Akanni lauded the warm hospitality of the High Commission and shared new concepts aimed at making the upcoming festival more vibrant and far-reaching. With the festival set to be an expansive celebration of African rhythm and heritage, he expressed confidence that this year’s edition will leave a lasting impact.
Set to hold across different venues in Ontario, the 2025 Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival promises an exciting lineup of events. These include:
Youth Empowerment Session: Friday, July 25, at the City of Brampton
Grand Finale: Saturday, July 26, at the Emerald Banquet Hall, 55 Guided Court, Etobicoke, Ontario
Red carpet: 5:00 p.m.
Main event: 7:00 p.m.
Special Event with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow: Monday, July 28, including a cultural tour of historic sites across Ontario
The festival will feature traditional drumming contests, a fashion show, youth empowerment workshops, cultural displays, investment forums, art exhibitions, academic lectures, and the prestigious Award of Excellence Ceremony.
Akanni, a veteran cultural advocate of nearly three decades, emphasized that the Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival is not just a celebration, but a global platform for promoting African unity, cultural pride, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
With strong diplomatic backing and renewed cultural partnerships like the one with the Ghana High Commission, the 2025 festival is poised to be the most dynamic and inclusive edition yet.
