December in Ghana is an unforgettable and exciting experience that many look forward to, especially the people of the African diaspora. The Beyond the Return initiative, a continuation of the Year of Return, and a plethora of other organizers have curated colorful events for those visiting. Here are some professional, ‘enjoyment’ and food events to attend if you are in the country at the end of this month, or next year during December.
1. Afrochella by Cultural Management Group
(Wizkid performing. Image by TCD Photography/ The TCD Concept LTD via Wikimedia Commons)
Afrochella is an annual festival in Ghana that features performances, live art installations, awesome photo ops, and eclectic fashion. This year, the event will happen on December 28th at El Wak Stadium, with performances by WizKid, Stonebwoy, Joey B, Ayra Starr, Dj Maphorisa, Kabza de Small, Kojo Antwi, Fireboy DML, and more.
The festival, brought to you by Cultural Management Group, was created by Abdul Kareem Abdullah, and developed in partnership with Kenny Agyapong, Edward Asaful-Adjaye, and other creatives. Learn more about Afrochella and other events by Cultural Management Group happening this month.
2. All White Party by Akwaaba UK
(Image by Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend via Wikimedia Commons)
Akwaaba UK’s annual All White Party will be held on January 1st, 2022, at Pitch-Accra in Accra, Ghana. Akwaaba Group is a company based in Europe and the United States that utilizes events and series to connect Ghanaians of the diaspora. Popular events include Ghana Party in the Park, the Miss Ghana UK Beauty Pageant, GhanaFest UK, DayTox London and Brunch N Vibes. Learn more about this event here.
3. Ghana’s Creative Community Network by Yamoah Entertainment
(Image by Asiama Junior via Pexels)
The 3rd Edition of Ghana’s Creative Community Network, hosted by Yamoah Entertainment, will commence on December 29th, from 12 pm – 5 pm at De Youngster’s International School RRC. This year’s theme is “Mom, Dad… I want to be a creative!” This event, which will feature creatives from Ghana and the diaspora, is free for elders who are 45 years old and up. Register for tickets here.
4. Future Insiders Program by Afrochella Music Museum 2021
(Image by Rodnae Productions via Pexels )
Future Insiders Program is an event presented by Afrochella’s Music Museum that will fuel the creative impulse and bring African diasporan creatives together. With sessions like “The Art of Making Beats”, “A Queen Leads: A Session Spotlighting the Innovation and Creativity Led By Women in the Music Industry”, “The Diaspora Effect: A Discussion About the Diaspora’s Effect on the Growth of African Music”, “Future Voices: A Discussion with the Next Wave of African Music”, a cocktail reception with M.anifest, and performances by Gyakie and Juls, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Learn more about this event here.
5. Give Back Ghana: Holiday Shelter Drive by the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Year of Return
(Food donations. Image by Marco Verch Professional Photography via Flickr )Give Back Ghana, A Holiday Shelter Drive is commencing in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Beyond the Return until December 31st. Donate items at the Beyond the Return Secretariat, located at the Accra Tourist Information Centre. Learn more about items to donate here.
6. Sip N’ Slay: The Women’s Empowerment Brunch by EveryStylishGirl
(Image by Kelechizuvaa via Wikimedia Commons)
The Sip N’ Slay series is a networking event created by the media company EveryStylishGirl, owned by influencer Nana Agyemang. Previous events have been held in Los Angeles, California and Washington, DC. This year, Sip N’ Slay will host Sip N’ Slay: The Women’s Empowerment Brunch on December 27th, from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, and will feature media and fashion mavens of the African diaspora to discuss fashion and media scaling strategies. This event will be hosted at Kozo, a posh restaurant in Accra, Ghana. Learn more about this event here.
7. Jerk x Jollof by Jerk X Jollof
(Image by GodisAble via Pexels )
Jerk X Jollof is an event hosted by a group of the same name that will feature artists like Nigerian DJ Tunez and eSwatini Dj Uncle Waffles, and will commence on December 27th at 6 pm at Front/Back Accra. The event will also host a New York version on New Year’s Eve at the Russell Industrial Center. The Jerk X Jollof series, based in Detroit, Michigan, curates events and provides resources to nourish African and Afro-Caribbean connections. Learn more about this event here.
8. Ghana Action Forum by Ahaspora, the Diaspora Drive, US/UK and Ghana Diaspora Public Affairs Collective, USA
(Image by U.S. Army, Southern European Task Force via Flickr )
Ghana Action Forum, hosted by Ahaspora, the Diaspora Drive, US/UK and Ghana Diaspora Public Affairs Collective, USA is a dialogue and networking event that will commence on December 29th to December 30th at the Kempinski hotel. This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Home and Abroad for Ghana’s Development’. Learn more about this event here.
9. PinexGinja III by DreamxDefault and Ford Communications
(Image by Chris Hoyle via Flickr)
DreamxDefault and Ford Communications will host the PinexGinja III event, a party that will combine and celebrate Ghanaian and Jamaican cultures, on December 24th at Pearly Gate Gardens in Accra, Ghana. Get tickets here.
10. Wildaland Festival by Maverick and 3 Music
(Davido performing. Image by rasheedhrasheed via Wikimedia Commons )
Wildaland is a festival by Maverick and 3 Music that will be held from December 26th to 27th at Shai Forest Reserve in Greater Accra, Ghana. The festival lineup includes Davido, Stonebwoy, R2bees, Adekunle Gold, Kidi, Kwame Eugene, Joeboy, Omah Lay, Kwabena Kwabena, Buju, CKay, Black Sherif, Oxlade, and more. Learn more about this event here.
11. Festival of Plays 2021 by Ebo Whyte
(Ghana National Theatre. Image by Ronnie Pittman via Flickr)
Ebo Whyte, a renowned playwright, is hosting his event Festival of Plays 2021, which will commence from December 25th to January 1st, from 4 pm – 6 pm, at the Ghana National Theatre. The plays being shown include Dear God Comma, The Comeback, Caught in the Act, Devil’s Wife, Blackmail, and The Secret Code of Wives. Learn more about this event here.
12. Taste of Ghana 2.0 by Ghana Investment Promotion Center, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and the Beyond the Return Secretariat
(Image by PapJeff via Flickr )
A Taste of Ghana 2.0 is a free event, commencing on December 27th at Forecourt of the State House, Accra, and a partnership between Ghana Investment Promotion Center, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and the Beyond the Return Secretariat. This event will feature music, arts, food, fashion, drama, and dance. This year’s theme is ‘Our Language, Our Identity, Our Pride’, and will feature artists such as Kwesi Arthur, Edem, Okyeame Kwame, Kofi Kinaata, Amakye Dede, King Promise, and more. Learn more about this event here.
Are you in Ghana this December? Which events are you most looking forward to?
Nana Ama Addo is a writer, multimedia strategist, film director, and storytelling artist. She graduated with a BA in Africana Studies from the College of Wooster, and has studied at the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Nana Ama tells stories of entrepreneurship and Ghana repatriation at her brand, Asiedua’s Imprint ( www.asieduasimprint.com ).
