Young and Loud Festival 2023: Celebrating Street Art and Talent in Ho’s Youth.

On the 16th of December 2023, the inaugural Young and Loud Festival unfolded at Mawuli School in Ho, ushering in a new era of artistic expression and empowerment for over 1,500 young people in Ho City.

The festival was an initiative under the Young and Safe project of the Healthy Cities of Adolescents program. It was a powerful movement with a clear goal: to advocate for change and shape the futures of Ho’s youth. It aimed to harness the creative prowess of the city’s young visionaries, empowering them to become catalysts of positive transformation and drive systemic change that prioritizes their well-being.

The festival encompassed three main segments: the street art festival, the creative futures boot camp, and the talent competition.

The street art festival commenced in the early hours of the morning, captivating young participants, and onlookers. People had their faces painted, reflecting the love and excitement in the air. Young individuals interacted with pre-made and engaged in painting and drawing. They received canvases and painting kits, allowing them to unleash their creativity and transform the blank surfaces into remarkable works of art.

At the street festival, in addition to the visual art displays, there were captivating performances by singers, dancers, comedians, skaters, other talented individuals, and mouth-watering food vendors. These dynamic performances added an extra layer of excitement to the immersive street art festival.

The Creative Futures boot camp session was a significant part of the festival. Young people engaged directly with industry experts who shared insights and trends to help them build successful careers in the creative field. Ms. Perfect Mawulorm Amegboe, Programs Manager at Node Eight, opened the session with an inspiring address focused on self-discovery and growth.

Papayaw Boakye-Akyeampong, a Virtual Reality Game Developer, introduced participants to Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality, encouraging creative exploration through hands-on activities.

Visual Artist and talent discovery expert Prince Kojo-Hilton also spoke, urging participants to research their talents, read, and develop a clear vision for their futures. His guidance motivated young creatives to pursue their dreams with passion. Overall, the boot camp offered valuable exposure and opportunities for personal growth.

The highlight of the Young and Loud Festival was the talent competition held in the evening, featuring ten young participants across four categories: singing, dancing, poetry, and arts.

Winners included:

Music: Baba M, recognized for his exceptional vocal skills.

Baba M, Winner Singing Category | Young and Loud Festival 2023

Dancing: The Strangers, who wowed the audience with their electrifying moves.

The Strangers, Winner Dance Category | Young and Loud Festival 2023

Poetry: TSIDI, who delivered a powerful and thought-provoking performance.

TSIDI, Winner Poetry Category | Young and Loud Festival 2023

Arts: Tony Skhid, celebrated for his creative talent.

Tony Skhid, Winner Art Category | Young and Loud Festival 2023

Renowned artists such as Keeny Ice, Tuf B, AfroKhelly, and KeliYong also performed, enhancing the event’s excitement and diversity.

Through art, music, technology, and interactive experiences, the festival created an environment for young people to thrive, encouraging them to use their creativity to address social issues and positively impact their communities. It empowered young people in Ho to become agents of change.

About the Young and Safe Project:  

The Young and Safe project is a three-year initiative that aims to address key issues such as youth participation in city governance, sexual and reproductive health, mental health support, creative self-expression, and digital employment opportunities. The initiative aims to develop an inclusive and supportive community for young people in Ho, Volta region, Ghana by leveraging the capabilities of each partner. The Young and Safe project will also increase young people’s employability by helping them build their digital innovation and entrepreneurship competencies. Read more. 

For all enquires, reach out to us via email at info@nodeeight.org