Ishmael Hanson named president of Ghana–Jamaica Homecoming Festival
Ishmael Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of Six Degrees Africa, has been appointed as the inaugural President of the Ghana Jamaica Homecoming Festival, a major cultural and economic event set to take place in Accra on December 4–5, 2026.
The announcement was made by Gramps Morgan’s Dadason Entertainment in partnership with Broadway Entertainment, the organisers of the festival, which seeks to deepen the cultural, historical and economic ties between Ghana and Jamaica, as well as the wider African and Caribbean diasporas.
In his new role, Mr Hanson will lead the overall vision, strategy and execution of the festival. He is expected to steer its development into a global platform that promotes shared heritage while creating opportunities for trade, investment and cultural exchange.
He will also be responsible for strategic direction, partnership development, programme oversight, and positioning the festival as a sustainable international platform. In addition, he will serve as the main ambassador of the initiative, engaging governments, diplomatic missions, the business community and the global media.
Speaking on his appointment, Ishmael Hanson described the festival as more than just a cultural gathering.
“The Ghana Jamaica Homecoming Festival is not simply an event but a statement of intent. We are telling the world that the relationship between Africa and the Caribbean is one of the most powerful untapped forces in global culture and commerce. My vision is to rally all partners and stakeholders to build a platform worthy of that truth: one that our ancestors would recognise and our children will inherit.”
The organisers say the festival comes at a significant time in strengthening relations between Africa and its diaspora communities. Economic data from the World Bank shows that remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa reached over 54 billion US dollars in 2023, making it one of the region’s largest external financial inflows. In Ghana, remittances have accounted for more than eight per cent of GDP in recent years, underlining the importance of diaspora contributions to national development.
Jamaica also continues to benefit strongly from its diaspora, with remittances making up over 15 per cent of its GDP, particularly from communities in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada.
Despite these strong financial links, organisers note that economic collaboration between Ghana, the Caribbean and the wider African diaspora remains largely underdeveloped. The Ghana Jamaica Homecoming Festival is therefore designed to bridge that gap.
The two-day event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, artists, policymakers and cultural leaders from Ghana, Jamaica and the global diaspora. It is expected to serve as a networking and investment platform, combining culture with business opportunities aimed at long-term economic impact.
“The idea behind Ghana Jamaica Homecoming Festival has come of age. It has been a decade of hardwork, resilience and endless sacrifices from me and my partner Abdul Fatau (aka Mayor Nima). Now it’s ready for the global stage and I am proud to have Ishmael Hanson on board for this new era. This is bigger than music. — Gramps Morgan (Nii Oyenii Mpese I), Grammy-Winning Reggae Artist & Festival Partner”
According to the organisers, the festival will feature live musical performances, cultural exhibitions, culinary experiences, panel discussions, and community engagement activities.
It will also include a dedicated business and investment forum, where stakeholders from Ghana and Jamaica are expected to explore trade opportunities and build strategic partnerships.
The festival is expected to highlight the deep cultural connections between the two countries, including links between Ghanaian highlife and Jamaican reggae music, as well as shared historical roots between coastal Ghanaian communities and Jamaican Maroon societies.
About Ishmael Hanson, organisers describe him as one of Ghana’s leading young business executives and a key figure in Africa’s creative economy. Through his work at Six Degrees Africa, he has been involved in major projects including the Guinness Accravaganza, Kweku Smoke’s Revival Concert and the Africa Union Summit.
He is noted for his experience in managing large-scale events and building cross-functional teams across the continent.
The Ghana Jamaica Homecoming Festival is a collaboration between Broadway Entertainment, Dadason Entertainment and the Black Star Experience Office of the President of Ghana. Key partners include the Ghana-Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, Diaspora Affairs Office of the President, MUSIGHA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Six Degrees Africa.
