Savor the Flavors: Your Ultimate Accra Food Festival Calendar
By Karel Mensah
Food is a language unto itself. Most countries have dishes that seem so far from conventional to other cultures but to locals make the most perfect sense. Plus there’s a certain level of excitement and curiosity that comes with food from other cultures and other countries. In Ghana, several food festivals are held at different times throughout the year that celebrate different aspects of Ghanaian food culture. This is your comprehensive guide to the food festivals that take place in Ghana all year. The festivals are arranged by month to make it easier to find one happening during that time period.
1. Akple Festival – March
Akple Festival is a food festival that is celebrated in March alongside Ghana’s independence. Akple is a delicacy that is prepared into rounded balls that are eaten by hand usually with an accompanying okra soup locally called Fetri Detsi.
Akple Festival is celebrated each year on 6th March to coincide with the celebration of Ghana’s independence. With the spirit of celebration in the atmosphere, indigenous music filling the air, and several delicacies being served by over thirty vendors there are few other places that you would want to be other than the Akple Festival. In addition to hot akple and fetri detsi, you can also try other local delicacies including akple and abobitaadi (grounded pepper sauce) as well as banku and tilapia spiced with vegetables and a whole lot more.
Live indigenous music, happy people and akple served in so many ways you’ll drool from just stepping on the grounds. If you’re looking for unique celebrations of Ghanaian culture then you definitely want to give the Akple Festival a chance if you’re in Ghana at the time.
You can find Akple Festival on Instagram at @akplefestival.
2. The Kenkey Festival - March
Unless you’ve experienced it firsthand, it’s difficult to put into words the way that Ghanaians celebrate local food. Kenkey is a staple swallow that can be paired with stew and soup. However, for most Ghanaians, the ideal kenkey pairing is always with some grounded pepper sauce, a side of shito, and a fried seafood platter with fish and shrimp or octopus alongside some tinned fish like sardines and corned beef.
As you can imagine, kenkey ends up being a heavy meal. And if you’re eating kenkey you should always be prepared for the possibility of simply passing out afterwards.
Another thing you should know about Kenkey is that it’s almost always better eaten in a group. That’s where the Kenkey Festival comes in. Kenkey Festival is held in the heart of Ga-Mashie in March each year to complement the country’s celebration of its independence. The Kenkey Festival rightfully takes place in Jamestown; a fishing district in Accra known for both fresh fish and kenkey among other things.
Follow @thekenkeyfest for the latest updates on the next edition of the Kenkey Festival.
3. Gobɛ Festival - March
Gobɛ is the local name used to refer to the Ghanaian meal of gari and beans which is usually paired with fried plantain. Just like waakye, gobɛ vendors are usually the busiest in the mornings—Ghanaian people really do love a heavy breakfast.
Gobɛ Festival follows the theme of food festivals centered around local Ghanaian foods taking place in the month of March which is the most patriotism-filled month in Ghana. In addition to the celebration of Gobɛ, the festival always brings several elements of outdoor fun to its attendees. There are side attractions such as soft archery, bouncy castles and local games such as ludo and oware. And of course, what’s a food festival without an eating competition?
4. The Cake Fair - May
Few words bring as much joy as these: come and eat cake. The Cake Fair has been happening in Accra every year since 2016 and is Ghana’s biggest cake-themed event. Each year, a few thousand people, cake lovers, show up to the colorful and sweet-aired venue of The Cake Fair to sample dozens of different cake flavors from some of the country’s best bakers who are intent on flaunting some of their most delicious recipes to ensure fair-goers track them down later.
The Cake Fair is an indoor event featuring cakes such as banana cakes, red velvet cakes, vanilla cakes, gluten-free cakes and much more. The fair also has displays of various cake accessories and equipment. And then finally, there are baking master classes that help amateur attendees elevate their cake skills and recipes. For the kids, there are cookie decorating classes available to allow them to unleash their creative frosting skills.
If you love cake I’m not sure there’s much more to say other than to give you the location. The Cake Fair is usually held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. The last fair took place in May, and if you’re looking forward to the next one, you can find details on developments here: @thecakefair on Instagram.
5. Accra Food Festival - September
The Accra Food Festival is a food festival created by the trusted authority in food and hospitality in Ghana: AccraPremium. The food festival is a way of bringing some of the finest food brands in the country to foreigners and locals alike. The festival hosts numerous vendors selling delicious food, drinks and desserts. It’s an outdoor festival with musical and cultural performances and more.
The Accra Food Festival is an easy recommendation for some time out with friends and family while you’re visiting Ghana. If you happen to be a food lover, well then it’s an event that you can’t miss.
6. Waakye Festival - November
If you do not know what waakye is, then the first thing that I can tell you about it is that Ghanaians consider it a national treasure. Waakye is a rice and beans meal with a characteristic red appearance. And, fun fact, in a lot of areas around Accra, waakye sells out even before 10am daily.
It is usually a breakfast meal (although some people will eat it for lunch) but on the day of Waakye Festival, it’s an all-day meal. An all-day celebration of waakye.
Waakye Festival brings some of Ghana’s most well-known waakye brands together to celebrate the undisputed breakfast king. At the festival, you can try waakye from different vendors, and enjoy some live music, games and other fun activities in the park.
Waakye Festival usually takes place in November. Follow Waakye Festival’s Instagram page here (@waakyefestival) for updates on the next Waakye Festival.
7. Around the World Festival - December
The Around the World Festival is a food festival with a novel twist. It’s the only festival you need a passport for on this list. This festival’s promise is food from all around the world—different countries, different cuisines and different food cultures all in one place. The custom passports are actually passes that get you samples of food from the different food booths; each of those booths represents and serves food from a particular country. The Around the World Festival doesn’t just promise an incredible experience for your tongue. In fact, that’s only the beginning.
The Around the World Festival also gives festival attendees the chance to attend several master classes taught by experts on different culinary topics. The idea is that you can take away something from the experience that you can use to elevate your palette long after the festival ends. There’s also incredible live music, games and a ton of family fun.
The Around the World Festival usually takes place in December and is a great activity to have lined up for the festive season. You can follow the festival’s Instagram page here (@aroundtheworld.fest) for updates on the next one.
