Stonebwoy to headline Global Citizen Festival in Ghana on Sep 24
International Ghanaian musician, Stonebwoy, has been announced as performers to play this year’s edition of Global Citizen Festival.
With simultaneous shows taking place at the Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana and New York City’s Central Park on Sept. 24, the event will highlight a full decade of impact working with global citizens as well as celebrating a decade of impact working with the world’s top musicians from the iconic Global Citizen stage.
As always, the Global Citizen Festival will aim to encourage global leaders and corporations to commit billions to issues such as the climate crisis, food shortages, and ensuring a better future for women and girls. Tickets to both events are free and can be obtained on the Global Citizen website or app.
The event aligns with Stonebwoy’s objectives as a musician who has consistently used his voice to advocate for human rights and environmental sustainability. On June 10, he participated in the 2022 GREEN GHANA campaign held at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park. He joined the President of the Republic of Ghana, HE Nana Akufo-Addo, and Minister for Lands & Natural Resources, HON Samuel A. Jinapor, to lead a massive drive to plant 20 million trees in Ghana as part of this year’s “GREEN GHANA” campaign.
Prior to that, Stonebwoy was honored with ‘Vodafone Green Award’ at the 2022 Vodafone Vodafone Ghana (VGMAs) for championing environmental awareness and sustainability through his music. He received a recognition plaque and a sum of GHS 10,000 with his song ‘Greedy Men’ which discusses socio-economic challenges that affect communities including weak leadership, illegal mining, corruption and child labour.
On top of all the performances, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans says “there’s gonna be some big surprises” to mark the festival’s 10th anniversary at the New York City show. He’s also excited about taking the festival to West Africa for the first time, especially considering 2022 marks the 65th anniversary of Ghanaian independence, and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the African Union.
“Ghana is honoured to host this year’s edition of the Global Citizens Festival. I look forward to welcoming each and everyone of you to Accra, capital of the country at the centre of the world,” Ghana’s president, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, says. “Together, let us join hands and help accelerate progress towards the realization of the [sustainable development goals]. We owe to the next generation to live in a world free from poverty, disease and the degradation of the environment. The time to help make a change is now. We must align forces to make an impact in Africa, and help end extreme poverty. I have called colleague African leaders to join me in September, and help break these systemic barriers that have been affecting our people. Let us build a strong foundation for future generations.”
“Doing it live between the two cities on the same night, throwing literally from Black Star Square — which is the site that commemorates Ghanaian independence, as well as that that power of Pan Africanism — [to New York City] is really powerful,” he says. “It shows the symbolism of that journey of the transatlantic slave trade, and what New York City stands for with the Statue of Liberty, freedom, and independence.”