Experience Ghana All Year Long With These 12 Events
By Charles Aboagye
#DecemberInGhana has become one of the most important experiences people traveling to Ghana and Africans in the diaspora have come to enjoy and relate to. The government-championed Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiatives have also culminated with many December events and festivals. This has made Ghana the best place to be in December. No doubt December is one of the most exciting times to visit Ghana. However, there are amazing events and experiences all year round, from music to arts to fashion, film, and more. Here are the top twelve events for every month if you plan on visiting Ghana.
January
The Winneba Fancy Dress Festival
Admission: Free
Photo Source: Atlas Obscura
If you’re in the West, you probably gather with friends and family and maybe share a kiss on New Year’s Eve. However, in Ghana, we usher in the New Year with the masquerade festival. In the first week of January, the people of Winneba in the Central Region march through their town with masks amidst brass band music and welcome the New Year with excitement. The various masquerade groups show a perfect blend of community, art, and music while carrying on the near-century tradition.
Watch a documentary about the Winneba fancy dress festival here.
February
National Chocolate Week
Admission: Free and paid events
Photo Source: Citi Business News
In February, while the whole world celebrates Valentine’s Day with chocolate, Ghana celebrates its contribution to the holiday by observing National Chocolate Week. The festival came from National Chocolate Day which has taken place every February 14 since 2005 and celebrates chocolate and the country’s cocoa. The week-long festival has a lot of events to keep you busy while you are in Ghana.
March
Independence Day celebrations
Admission: Free
Photo Source: Pulse Ghana
If there was ever a time to enjoy Ghana, March would be the perfect time. The Ghanaian Independence Day, which falls on March 6 is celebrated with lectures, speakeasies, fairs, and others. However, none of these beats the Independence Day parades held in most towns with the biggest parade being attended by the president and most state dignitaries. School children, security personnel, organizations, religious groups, and trade and labor unions show their patriotism by marching and saluting. This free event is arguably one of the best times to feel the spirit of Ghana and learn about the country’s rich political history.
April
Kwahu Festival
Admission: Free and paid events
Photo Source: Asaase Radio
If you’re ever in Ghana during Easter, you’ll want to experience the Kwahu Easter celebrations. From Good Friday to Monday, everyone and their mother goes to the hills of Kwahu to celebrate Easter. Apart from the carnivals and concerts, most people enjoy paragliding. People glide around the Kwahu mountain range while taking pictures and videos for the Gram. The Easter in Kwahu buzz comes a close second to the December in Ghana hype.
May
Ghana Music Awards
Admission: Paid
Photo Source: Graphic Online
If you are looking to explore Ghanaian music and the acts that are taking over the international scene, the Ghana Music Awards is the best place to do just that. It is arguably the biggest music awards festival in Ghana and the organizers of the event bill some of Ghana’s most popular musicians to perform. The GMAs are Ghana’s own Grammys and you have to attend looking your fashionable best if you want to walk the red carpet. It is the best time to be introduced to different genres of Ghanaian music and get some new music for your travel playlist. Tickets range from about 50 USD to 70 USD.
June
Homowo Festival
Admission: Free
Photo Source: The Ghana Report
Ghana has a lot of ethnic communities that mostly celebrate their heritage and tradition during festivals. One important festival has to be the Homowo festival of the Ga ethnic group. The Gas are found mostly in Accra and they celebrate Homowo to mark the abundance of food. The Homowo period starts off with a month-long ban on noise-making and ends with rituals, drumming, dancing, and the sprinkling of kpokpoi, a traditional dish. If the purpose of your trip to Ghana is to learn more about cultural heritage and traditions, experiencing the Homowo festival will definitely be a highlight.
July
PANAFEST
Admission: Paid
Photo Source: Beyond The Return
Every African in the diaspora needs to enjoy the Pan African Historical Festival (PANAFEST) at least once. During PANAFEST, Africans from the continent and the diaspora celebrate African history, arts, and culture. The festival includes performances, symposiums, film screenings, and exhibitions. These events are curated to help reconcile and heal the trauma and disconnect caused by the slave trade. Most of the PANAFEST events are purposefully held at the slave forts, castles, and dungeons. Registration for this festival is about 200 USD.
August
Chale Wote Festival
Admission: Free
Photo Source: Graphic Online
Art lovers are going to enjoy the heaven that is Chale Wote. The Chale Wote Street Art Festival transforms the streets into open-air galleries and promotes local artistic talent and creativity. The exhibits are usually based on a theme being celebrated and artists from around the world are invited to express their understanding of the theme.
September
Oguaa Fetu Festival
Admission: Free
Photo Source: YFM
As established with Homowo, traditional festivals are a big deal to Ghanaians and their various traditional groups. The Oguaa Fetu festival is no exception. The Fetu festival is celebrated by the people of Oguaa to remember and prevent an epidemic that killed their people. The festival is sponsored by some of Ghana’s biggest brands and has concerts headlined by some big music acts. In September Cape Coast is the place to be.
October
Glitz Africa Fashion Week
Admission: Paid
Photo Source: BNFT
We’ve explored music, art, and culture and now we have fashion. The Glitz Fashion Week has worked its way up to become one of the most prominent fashion weeks in Africa. The fashion week comes with a lot of side events like fashion business seminars, fashion forums, themed runways, etc. It is a beginner’s insight into contemporary African fashion and the players in the field. Tickets range from 10 USD to 30 USD depending on the event you want to attend.
November
Hogbetsotso
Admission: Free
Ghana has a lot of traditional festivals but Hogbetsotso has one of the best historical backgrounds. The festival is celebrated by the Anlo people in the Volta Region of Ghana to mark their freedom from a tyrant chief. It was said that they escaped by softening and breaking a wall and walking backward for a long journey to their present home. Apart from the community clean-up exercises and cleansing, you will enjoy the Hogbetsotso durbar and if you’re lucky, you might pick up the Agbadza dance moves.
December
AfroFuture Festival
Admission: Paid
If you are in Ghana in December, then you’re spoiled for choice because the month is filled with a lot of traditional and modern festivals to enjoy. However, one you wouldn’t want to miss is the AfroFuture festival. The music festival is attended by Ghanaians, other Africans, and those in the diaspora. The festival, which was formerly called “Afrochella,” celebrates African music and a concert headlined by the biggest names in African music. Musicians like Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and more have all performed at the AfroFuture Festival. AfroFuture is a music festival, but you need to bring your Afro-inspired fashion game when attending because it also celebrates black excellence, black fashion, and black culture. The festival’s tickets range between 150 USD to 300 USD depending on which Afrochella event you want to attend.
There you go! Next time you’re in Ghana we hope you use this guide to have a good time. The Ghanaian experience extends well beyond December!
