The 2026 edition of December in GH has been launched with a call on Ghanaians and visitors to embrace the country’s music, fashion, food, culture and entertainment during the festive season.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who made the call at the launch at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, October 20, said the focus should be on the experiences Ghana offers rather than the debate over the names Detty December and December in GH.
Held on the theme “Ghana to the World”, this year’s initiative seeks to attract Ghanaians in the diaspora, other Africans and international visitors to experience the country’s cultural and creative offerings during the festive season.
The minister, however, stressed that the success of the initiative should go beyond concerts, parties and visitor numbers to create lasting economic benefits for local businesses and players in the tourism and creative industries.
“The true value of December in Ghana must be measured not only by the excitement of the events or the number of visitors it attracts, but also by the sustainable economic opportunities it creates for Ghanaians,” she said.
She said bloggers, content creators, booking agents, hoteliers, tour operators, food vendors, fashion designers, artisans, filmmakers, musicians and young entrepreneurs should benefit from the influx of visitors.
Ms Gomashie also urged tourism and hospitality operators to prioritise visitor safety, professional service, reasonable pricing and quality experiences, warning that the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination depended on how visitors were treated.
She encouraged visitors to explore all 16 regions, stressing that Ghana had attractions worth discovering beyond Accra.
The minister further highlighted the government’s Black Star Experience initiative, which promotes Ghana through music, film, fashion, gastronomy, literature, heritage and the performing arts.
She announced that Ghana was collaborating with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to organise the maiden African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creativity (A-FESTA), scheduled for December 9 to 11, 2026.
The minister also acknowledged the contributions of Ghanaian creatives, including Wode Maya, Chef Abbys, Christie Brown, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Wiyaala, among others, to promoting the country internationally.
She urged Ghanaians to see themselves as ambassadors of the country, saying the experiences they created for visitors could shape international perceptions of Ghana.
“Ghana is more than a destination. It is a place of heritage, belonging, discovery and opportunity,” she said, inviting visitors to explore the country, while considering investment, partnerships and lasting engagement.
“Together, let us take Ghana to the world, bring the world to Ghana and showcase the creative excellence of Africa. Be the reason someone chooses to visit Ghana, see Ghana, eat Ghana, wear Ghana, and feel Ghana,” she said.
The launch was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto and other key players in the tourism and creative industries.
December in GH, commonly associated with Detty December festivities, is Ghana’s festive-season experience, when the country comes alive with concerts, festivals, parties, nightlife, fashion, food and cultural activities.
For many Ghanaians, it is a time to reunite with family and friends, while for members of the diaspora and international visitors, it offers an opportunity to experience Ghanaian culture, music, hospitality and entertainment.
Although Accra is usually at the centre of the celebrations, activities also take place in other parts of the country.
