Ghana has been announced as the honouree country for the 44th edition of Memphis in May International Festival in 2020. This was revealed when a delegation of the Memphis in May international festival paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Accra. The board settled on Ghana because it is the “golden country of West Africa” with a stable democracy and a strong economy driven by tourism, mining, and oil production. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, was happy about the opportunity given to Ghana to display its rich art and culture to the locals of Memphis. “Ghana has strong bilateral relations with the United States of America and it is therefore not surprising that Ghana’s progress has been monitored, and this honour bestowed on us,” she said. Memphis in May International Festival is a month-long festival held in Memphis, Tennessee aimed at promoting understanding between citizens of Memphis and the honoured country. Since its inception forty-four (44) years ago, the city of Memphis has played host to thirty-eight (38) countries. Out of this lot, six (6) have been African – Egypt (1981), Morocco (1999), and Tunisia (2010) from North Africa; Kenya (1989) from Eastern Africa, South Africa (2004) from Southern Africa, and Cote d’Ivoire (1994) from West Africa. Ghana becomes the seventh African country to be honoured. The mission of Memphis in May International Festival is to promote and celebrate Memphis culture, foster economic growth, and enhance international awareness through education. The festival has grown to become one of the most recognized across all of America and North America as a whole. Memphis in May International Festival has received two hundred and eleven (211) prestigious Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival & Events Association recognizing excellence in events, creativity, volunteerism and programming. By Paul Selorm Agbo | 3news.com | Ghana]]>