The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has officially unveiled the endorsed schedule of events and activities for the 2022 ‘December in GH’ campaign.
Unveiling endorsed events for this years celebration was the Hon. Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal who reiterated that culture is the foundation of tourism and therefore let’s use the opportunity to showcase what we have in terms of our heritage through our food, drinks, clothes, fashion, tourist sites and attractions, cuisine, etc.
‘December in GH’ initiated in 2019 is the country’s biggest annual celebration of all things, Cultural, Entertainment, Adventure , Nightlife, Fashion, Gastronomy, Tours and Community service in Ghana .
Each year there are events that have become favourites and have been included in this year’s activities including, Afrochella, Little Havana, Taste of Ghana, Afro Nation, YouTube Creators Festival, Westside Carnival, Rhythms on da Runway and the Roverman Productions Festival of Plays.
“We’re expecting this year to be the biggest for ‘December in GH’,” said Annabelle McKenzie, Manager of the Beyond the Return Secretariat.
“We are excited about welcoming both returning and first-time travellers to Ghana. We’ve endorsed more events that touch on the different pillars for the Beyond the Return initiative,” she added.
The Chief Executive Officer of GTA, Akwasi Agyeman also noted that his outfit received over 200 entries across the country for endorsement, however the committee was able to endorse 91 events, which would be spread across all the 16 regions of Ghana.
Some of the new events to the calendar include Ada Riverfest, Jollof & Afrobeat Festival, Afrobeats Bazaar, Ghana Water Polo Tournament, Nkyinkyim Museum Freedom Parade and
First Time Home Buyers in Ghana Seminar.
According to Akwasi Agyeman they have kick-started a series of engagements with industry stakeholders to ensure their readiness.
He also encouraged all Ghanaian’s to live up to our reputation as a friendly and hospitable people.
Moreover the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Honourable Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal has indicated that events for the ‘December in GH’ is expected to rake in Two Hundred Million Dollars as revenue to the Country.
Adding that the event which has been widely promoted across Europe, America, China, and South America is also expected to attract One Hundred Thousand holiday makers into Ghana.
Mr. Agyeman noted that as the gateway to Africa, Ghana is the go-to hotspot to experience the December holiday season in West Africa.
“From the moment you arrive in Ghana, know that you’re about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. If it’s your first trip, prepare to see an Africa you never imagined’’, he revealed.
He therefore urged patrons to prepare themself for an experience that surpasses their expectation. The activities he said will begin on November 20th and ends on January 2nd, 2023.
‘Beyond the Return’ is a 10-year initiative with the theme, ‘A decade of African renaissance’.
It’s the follow-up to the successful Year of Return campaign in 2019 that invited the global African diaspora to visit Ghana.
Seven pillars make up the foundations of ‘Beyond the Return’ with the goal of continued engagement and building strong relations with the diaspora community.
All the events on the ‘December in GH’ calendar align with at least one of the pillars which are, Experience Ghana, Celebrate Ghana, Invest in Ghana, Brand Ghana, Give Back Ghana, Diaspora Pathways to Ghana, and Promote Pan-African Heritage and Innovation.’
