On 6 March 2007, Fireworks for Africa proved that the impossible is, in fact, possible, if not also daunting – so they went out and did it. They had received confirmation of the event five weeks before its planned execution, for the biggest contract ever won by a South African fireworks company.
Ghana’s independence had reached the 50 year mark and they wanted to celebrate in truly memorable style. Being the friendliest middle African country that Fireworks for Africa has worked with, the job was a pleasure to put together, but taxed even Nick Mitri and his team’s finely tuned organisational skills!
Ghana@50, a company set up by the Ghanaian government, requested 10 massive fireworks shows to be staged in one night, 6 March 2007. They were to take place in every region of Ghana in the towns of Accra, Cape Coast, Sekondi, Koforidua, Ho, Kumasi, Sunyani, Wa, Tamale and Bolgatanga. A further eleventh show was to be displayed on 7 March 2007 for the Military Parade.
A week before the extravaganza, the Ghanaian President personally requested another show to be staged in Tema and once again, Fireworks for Africa rose to the occasion, organising a spectacular twelfth showcase, every bit as magnificent as the original eleven.
This mammoth task required backup so Nick called in four trusted technicians from Canada and three from the UK, to add to his own group of seventeen in South Africa. Visas, vaccinations and accommodation were organised in record time. The group flew in to meet the two 40ft containers of unprepared fireworks that had been shipped to Accra and proceeded to assemble all twelve shows in 45°C heat over 6 gruelling days.
The events were a resounding success in every venue and the Ghanaian government couldn’t have been more pleased. Although Fireworks for Africa is still in a somewhat delayed state of shock, they have proved, once and for all, that, no matter what – they deliver.