CREATIVE ARTS EMBATTLED - FOCAP
FOCAP The Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) is requesting that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to intervene immediately in the harassment and assault on the organizers of the CHALE WOTE FESTIVAL. The intimidation of the organizers of the CHALE WOTE FESTIVAL reveals how little we regard the arts in this country. The organizers did not defy any police orders, therefore the story is false; however, they were charged under the Public Order Act for failing to notify police of a special event. It began with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly issuing a press statement to halt such a beautiful festival/event, and an attempt by the organizers to seek an appointment with the Mayor was turned down with the pretext that the Mayor was not available to meet with the organizers. According to FOCAP sources, the directive to disrupt and attack the festival came from above. The CHALE WOTE FESTIVAL this year was strictly an indoor event after the AMA Mayor refused to grant them au...