26th Africa Cup of Nations, 2008, Ghana

The task: Deliver the opening and closing ceremonies for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, in partnership with CAP Events and Global Media Alliance of Ghana. Showcase Ghanaian culture, business and the country in general and provide Ghana the opportunity to market itself on a global stage. Deliverables for the opening ceremony included pyrotechnics, mass field display choreography, travel, video production and backstage logistics management. Closing ceremony deliverables included pyrotechnics, trophy hand-over, choreography, scripting and well as backstage logistics management.

The challenges: We were given six weeks to organise the logistics and audiovisual aspects as well as oversee the on-field choreography of the 1 600 cast over the December period. In addition, other challenges faced ranged from a lack of availability of third party suppliers, to late delivery of equipment, to unpredictable transport. Also because of damage to the pitch, mass display rehearsals could not take place in the stadium.

Working across borders in an unfamiliar environment always comes with challenges and working across borders within Africa comes with its own set. Indeed working in Africa is not for the feint-hearted and The Event Production Company drew on years of experience and working together as a team to ensure success.

The result: The Event Production Company successfully overcame all hurdles, and co-coordinated a professional and energetic opening and closing ceremony that aptly showcased Ghana's charming brand of tradition and culture. Both ceremonies were appreciated by the global audience, and generated a massive amount of media exposure.