Ghanaians were thrilled to Chinese culture feast and art on Saturday 22nd September, 2018 at the forecourt of Ghana Broadcasting Corperation.
The event dubbed Beijing Top TV Drama & Movies Broadcasting Season in Africa is a brand program to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa.
And since 2014, the event has been held for four successive times, traveling to Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar and other countries, bringing a visual and cultural feast to tens of millions of African people.
In the early hours of September 22nd, the Feast of Films and TV dramas was held with thousands of Ghanaians experiencing Chinese culture, including Chinese food, Chinese ancient costume, Chinese calligraphy, and Chinese Kung Fu.
The day was proceeded with a launching ceremony of the 2018 Beijing Top TV Dramas & Movies Broadcasting season in Africa in Gtv’s studio 2.
Deputy Minister for Information Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide, Chinese Ambassador in Ghana Mr. Wang Tingyan , Acting Director General of GBC Mr. Augustus Yamson, Director of Copyright Management office, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television Mr. Lu Zhipeng and Vice president of StarTimes Group Ms. Guo Ziqi addressed the ceremony, which symbolized the beginning of Sino-Ghanaian cultural exchange.
Over the years, related events have been held in a lot of African countries, such as the Swahili dubbing competition in Tanzania and the Caravan of Chinese films and TV Dramas in Zambia with many more events expected to be held in Pan-African countries while Chinese representatives also gear up towards hosting African-related events in China in the near future.
The Deputy Minister of Information; Hon Pius Enam Hadzide said the relationship between the Republic of Ghana and The People’s Republic of China goes way back in the early 60’s when diplomatic between the two countries was established, since then Ghana has provided substantial diplomatic support to China of which the latter has also reciprocated it through developmental projects in Ghana.
According to him the 2018 Beijing Top TV Dramas and Movies Broadcasting Season in Africa will tighten the relationship between the two countries.
Lesson from the Movies and Drama series should be lesson of Hope and determination, lesson of Self-respect and lesson of Nationalism and Patriotism.
He added that Lessons from the Movies and Drama series should be lesson of Hope and have Faith in ourselves and sacrifice for God and country.
The project should not be one way rather it should be opened up between the two countries.
The event should bring neutral understanding among the two countries and provide opportunities for cultural exchanges between the Ghana and China – he added.
The Ambassador of China His Excellence Shi Ting Wang said the Beijing Top TV Drama and Broadcasting Season in Africa is a brand to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa.
He said many Ghanaians know that China is the 2nd largest economy in the world ,but may not come to the fact that China is also the 2nd largest international film market.
In 2017, Chinese audience made 1.6billion tripsto the cinema and box office revenue exceeded 8.6 billion dollars.
The Ambassador of China His Excellence Shi Ting Wang said China is also the most vibrant film market in the world.
He added that the China Ghana culture exchanges in film industry will continue to be active.
He thank The Ministry of Information,Ghana Broadcasting Corpation and Startimes for their assistance and support in organizing the 2018 Beijing Top TV Drama and Movie Broadcasting Season in Africa.
Report by Samuel Quao.