Ghana has unveiled the calendar of events for this year’s December In Gh, the country’s biggest tourism initiative that draws thousands of visitors from across the globe during the latter the part of each year.
The launch of the events’ calendar brought together stakeholders within the tourism, culture and creative arts sector to the Labadi Beach where the event took place.
In her speech the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie impressed on the stakeholders to focus on showcasing the country’s culture, heritage and hospitality rather than debating the name of the festive season.
The minister said that while she acknowledged the popularity of the term “Detty December,” particularly among young people, emphasis should be placed on encouraging more people to experience Ghana.
This year’s celebration is being held under the theme “Ghana to the World,” reflecting the country’s ambition to promote its cultural identity, creative industries and hospitality to international audiences.
Gomashie described December as an important period for Ghana’s tourism industry and a homecoming for Ghanaians abroad, Africans in the diaspora and friends of the country. She stressed that the initiative’s success should be measured not only by visitor numbers and entertainment events but also by the economic opportunities it creates for local communities.
She called for the benefits of the festive season to reach a broad range of businesses and professionals, including tour operators, hoteliers, content creators, musicians, fashion designers, artisans and young entrepreneurs.
The minister also announced that Ghana is collaborating with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to host the inaugural African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creativity (A-FESTA) from December 9–11, 2026. The event is expected to bring together stakeholders from across Africa and the diaspora to celebrate African creativity, strengthen cultural exchange and explore investment opportunities in the creative economy.
Gomashie further urged tourism and hospitality businesses to prioritize service excellence, visitor safety and reasonable pricing, noting that every interaction contributes to Ghana’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
She also encouraged visitors to explore attractions beyond Accra, emphasizing the importance of promoting tourism across all 16 regions and extending the benefits of the festive season nationwide.
In her remarks, Ghana Tourism Authority CEO, Maame Efua Houadjeto described December In Gh as an opportunity for visitors to experience the country through its music, festivals, heritage sites, cuisine, fashion and community celebrations.
She urged event organizers to give Ghanaian performers and creatives prominent roles, fair compensation and opportunities to reach international audiences. She also encouraged businesses to work more closely with local suppliers and entrepreneurs to ensure that tourism spending supports livelihoods.
Houadjeto disclosed that more than 150 events had already been registered nationwide for the 2026 festive season, with Accra accounting for more than 100 planned activities.
The 2026 edition of December in GH is scheduled to run from December 1, 2026, to January 3, 2027, as part of Ghana’s broader Black Star Experience tourism initiative.
Through the campaign, Ghana hopes to strengthen its position as a leading destination for cultural and heritage tourism while turning the festive season into a platform for sustainable economic growth, creative expression and deeper connections with the global African community.
The events’ calendar can be accessed here.
