The National Theatre came alive on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, as the Creative Explosion Concert ushered in the PANAFEST 2025 celebrations with a vibrant showcase of music, dance, poetry, and cultural expression.
Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and the Black Star Experience, under the auspices of the Government of Ghana, the concert reflected this year’s powerful theme: “Africa Leads, the World Follows.” The event brought together artists and audiences from across the continent and the diaspora to celebrate Africa’s artistic influence and ancestral heritage.
The evening opened with a dynamic performance by Big Twins, whose rhythms from northern Ghana instantly energized the crowd. The lineup featured celebrated talents including Amandzeba, Santrokofi Band, Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, David Conscious, Ehalakasa, the Afro Latino Dance Community, the National Dance Company, and Acao Zumbi Brazilian Theatre Arts, blending traditional and contemporary artistry.
Beyond entertainment, the event served as a heartfelt tribute to the late Efua Sutherland, a literary icon and pioneering Pan-Africanist, who would have turned 101 this year. Her legacy and contribution to Ghana’s cultural identity were honoured throughout the night.
In an emotional address, Professor Esi Sutherland, Chairperson of PANAFEST and daughter of Efua Sutherland, emphasized the deeper purpose of the festival:
“PANAFEST is a call for us to use the art to tell stories that are difficult to tell—to create bridges among ourselves. We’re reconnecting with the North, with Jamaica, with Barbados. Africans have been separated for far too long. It’s time to reunite. This is our platform.”
She further urged Ghanaians to take pride in owning the festival:
“PANAFEST is a fully Ghanaian initiative. We represent the hope of Pan-Africanism on the continent. It is art with a message.”
Mr. Abeiku Aggrey Santana, Deputy CEO of the GTA, also encouraged Africans everywhere to carry the vision forward:
“Let us keep the flame of PANAFEST burning—in music, in movement, and in unity of purpose.”
The concert drew a wide-ranging audience, including dignitaries such as the Deputy Brazilian Ambassador, cultural leaders, artists, historians, government officials, and students from institutions including Accra High School, Achimota Abofu Keep Fit Club, Accra Technical University, and UniMAC-IFT.
Mr. George Lomotey, Director of Marketing at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, praised PANAFEST as more than just a festival:
“PANAFEST is a powerful reminder of our shared journey—the struggles and victories that shape our identity—and of the bridges we continue to build between Africa and the wider world.”
The night’s atmosphere was electric, with the crowd clapping, dancing, and chanting—embodying the spirit of unity and pride at the heart of PANAFEST.
Far more than a concert, the Creative Explosion was a cultural statement—boldly affirming Africa’s leadership in global culture. It sent a clear message: Africa is no longer waiting for a seat at the table—it is building its own and leading from the front.