The decision was announced after festival officials reviewed the results of the 2019 festival. The month-long salute to Ghana will begin from May 1 to 31, 2020.
James L. Holt, President and CEO of Memphis in May International Festival said, “We look forward to presenting this leader on the African continent and rising star in the global community to Memphis and the Mid-South in May 2020. Rich in natural resources, exports and culture, this is an exciting time for Memphians to discover and explore Ghana.”
Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Bawuah, Ghana's ambassador to the United States in a meeting with festival officials and city leaders, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the honour.
“Ghana is proud to have been selected as the Honored Country for Memphis in May 2020. We are thankful to the City and the organizers for this honor and we are looking forward to bringing Ghana to Memphis and giving the City and her people an experience of a lifetime. Let us look forward to enjoying Ghana’s culture and the African feeling.”
Each year, Memphis in May International Festival organizes a trip to explore the honored country in advance of the May salute.
Board Chair Charles Ewing and President and CEO James L. Holt will lead the trip to Ghana in March 2020.
Meanwhile, Ghanaian music stars, Sarkodie and Stonebwoy have been selected to represent Ghana at the 2020 ‘Memphis in May International Festival’.
About Memphis in May
Memphis in May is a not for profit, community-based organization, whose programs in 2018 contributed more than $137.7 million annually in economic impact to the community, fostered civic pride, promoted awareness of Memphis’ heritage, and built international relationships and understanding through education.
Memphis in May is the official festival of the City of Memphis, the recipient of 211 prestigious Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival and Events Association and has been named to Travel+Leisure’s international list of Festivals Worth Traveling For.
The Beale Street Music Festival was named one of the World’s Top Festivals by Fest300 and made Forbes’ list of “5 Underrated Music Festivals You Should Attend.”
In 2018, Memphis topped CNN Travel’s list of international destinations to visit in May specifically because of the Memphis in May events.
