Metro TV’s maiden Jollof Festival turns North Ridge into cultural feast
The maiden edition of the Metro TV Jollof Festival drew large crowds to the premises of Metro TV at North Ridge in Accra on Saturday, December 20, 2025, as food lovers gathered for a colourful celebration of jollof rice and West African culture.
Organised by Ignite Media Group, operators of Metro TV, Original TV and Original 91.9 FM, the festival marked the company’s first major food centred public event. It brought together culinary competition, live entertainment and community interaction in what organisers described as an all day celebration of taste, identity and shared heritage.
Jollof rice was placed firmly at the heart of the experience, with live cooking sessions featuring chefs and home cooks preparing different versions of the popular dish before judges and a curious audience. The cooking arena remained busy throughout the day, as steaming pots, colourful ingredients and animated debates over flavour, spice and technique kept spectators engaged.
In keeping with the inclusive spirit of the festival, organisers offered free servings of jollof to patrons. Families, young people and first time visitors were encouraged to participate, with many staying long after tasting the food to enjoy the broader atmosphere of the event.
The festival extended beyond food, delivering a lively entertainment programme that included music performances and energetic dance displays. Vendors offering assorted meals and refreshments added to the carnival like ambience, while the grounds remained animated from morning until evening.
Proceedings were anchored by a team of emcees made up of Gideon Okyere Anim, Augustine Agyepong, Desmond Okraku Danso, Helen Anyewedja and Adwoa Ahenewaah, whose constant engagement with the audience helped sustain energy levels throughout the event. Attendees frequently used their phones to capture moments and share highlights on social media, widening the festival’s reach beyond the venue.
Addressing patrons at the close of the programme, Managing Director of Ignite Media Group, Klaus Komla VonBackustein, commended the diversity on display and the collective effort that made the festival successful.
"The interesting thing is each food has its taste - distinct. To be honest they have all their distinct taste. West Africa we dey form. Thank you very much for coming. Clap for all of us. Good show; musicians on point, vendors on point, participating countries on point, me and you on point, the dancers on point," he said.
He added, "Thank you very much. Jollof on point. We appreciate you, we will do it again and invite you.”
The festival enjoyed strong corporate backing, with sponsorship from Gino Jollof Mix and support from brands including Maggi, Cartus Afei, Akoma Bitters, Verna Water and Wilmar, giving the event added commercial visibility.
Organisers said the festival was designed to highlight the cultural importance of jollof rice, which has long symbolised national pride, cultural identity and friendly rivalry across West Africa. By showcasing different interpretations of the dish side by side, the event also served as a platform for culinary creativity and informal cultural exchange.
Buoyed by the strong turnout and positive reception, Ignite Media Group says the maiden edition of the Metro TV Jollof Festival has set the stage for future editions. Plans are expected to focus on expanding participation, deepening cultural representation and establishing the festival as a fixture on Ghana’s growing events calendar.
