Entertainment
Ghana Unveils December in GH 2026 Calendar With Over 150 Events Nationwide
Ghana has officially unveiled the events calendar for the 2026 edition of December in GH, with more than 150 events registered nationwide as the country prepares to welcome visitors for the festive season.
The initiative, which forms part of the broader Black Star Experience tourism campaign, is expected to run from December 1, 2026, to January 3, 2027, under the theme Ghana to the World.

The calendar was launched at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, bringing together stakeholders from the tourism, culture and creative arts sectors to outline plans for the upcoming festive season.
The annual initiative seeks to position Ghana as a leading destination for cultural tourism, entertainment, heritage exploration and homecoming experiences, attracting Ghanaians living abroad, members of the African diaspora and international visitors.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has urged stakeholders to focus on promoting Ghana’s culture, heritage and hospitality rather than engaging in debates over the name used to describe the country’s festive season.

Addressing stakeholders at the launch, the Minister acknowledged the popularity of the term Detty December, particularly among young people, but stressed that the more important objective should be encouraging visitors to experience Ghana.
She said the festive season presented an opportunity to showcase the country’s cultural identity, creative industries and hospitality to audiences across the world.

According to the Minister, December has become an important period for Ghana’s tourism industry, serving as a homecoming for Ghanaians abroad, Africans in the diaspora and friends of the country.
However, she maintained that the success of the initiative should not be measured solely by the number of visitors entering the country or the number of entertainment events organised.
Instead, she called for greater attention to the economic opportunities generated for local communities and businesses during the festive season.

She identified tour operators, hoteliers, content creators, musicians, fashion designers, artisans and young entrepreneurs among the groups that should benefit from the increased tourism activities.
The Minister emphasised the need to ensure that the economic benefits of December in GH extend beyond major entertainment events and reach businesses and professionals throughout the tourism and creative arts value chain.
As part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s cultural tourism offering, the Minister announced plans to host the inaugural African Festival of Arts, Culture and Creativity, known as A-FESTA, in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).
The festival is scheduled for December 9 to 11, 2026, and is expected to bring together stakeholders from across Africa and the diaspora.

The event is intended to celebrate African creativity, promote cultural exchange and explore investment opportunities within the continent’s creative economy.
Its inclusion in the broader December programme is expected to provide an additional platform for artists, cultural practitioners, entrepreneurs and other industry players to connect with international audiences.
The initiative also aligns with Ghana’s ambition to strengthen its position as a destination for African cultural expression and heritage tourism.
The Minister also called on businesses operating within the tourism and hospitality sectors to prioritise service excellence, visitor safety and reasonable pricing during the festive season.
She noted that the conduct of service providers and the experiences of visitors play an important role in shaping Ghana’s international reputation as a welcoming destination.
Hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour guides and other tourism-related businesses are therefore expected to contribute to a positive experience for visitors.

She further encouraged tourists to explore destinations beyond Accra, stressing the importance of distributing tourism activities and their associated economic benefits across all 16 regions of Ghana.
The call forms part of broader efforts to promote domestic tourism and encourage visitors to discover the country’s diverse cultural heritage, historical attractions and local experiences outside the capital.
GTA CEO Announces More Than 150 Registered Events
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), 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 said the festive season offered an important platform for presenting Ghana’s cultural identity while creating opportunities for local businesses and creative professionals.
According to her, more than 150 events had already been registered nationwide for the 2026 festive season, with Accra accounting for more than 100 planned activities.

The figures highlight the scale of preparations underway to accommodate the anticipated increase in visitors and entertainment activities during the period.
The GTA CEO also urged event organisers to give Ghanaian performers and creative professionals prominent roles in their programmes.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that local creatives receive fair compensation and opportunities to reach international audiences.
In addition, she encouraged businesses to strengthen their partnerships with local suppliers and entrepreneurs to ensure that tourism spending contributes directly to livelihoods and economic activity within Ghana.
The approach is intended to ensure that the benefits of the festive season extend beyond event venues to businesses and individuals who provide goods and services to visitors.
The 2026 edition of December in GH will run from December 1, 2026, to January 3, 2027, under the theme Ghana to the World.
The campaign forms part of the Black Star Experience, a broader tourism initiative aimed at promoting Ghana’s culture, heritage, hospitality and creative industries to the international community.
With activities expected across the country, the programme is intended to strengthen Ghana’s appeal to international tourists, members of the diaspora and Ghanaians returning home for the holidays.
The inclusion of A-FESTA from December 9 to 11 is also expected to broaden the programme’s cultural and creative focus by bringing together participants from across Africa and the diaspora.

Beyond entertainment, the government’s broader objective is to use the festive season as a platform for sustainable economic growth, job creation and investment in the tourism and creative sectors.
The expected influx of visitors presents opportunities for accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, tour companies, artisans, fashion designers, musicians and other businesses that cater to tourists.
The emphasis on local participation also reflects a push to ensure that Ghanaian businesses and creative professionals benefit directly from increased tourism spending.

By encouraging visitors to travel beyond Accra, authorities are also seeking to promote tourism across all 16 regions and create opportunities for communities with cultural, historical and natural attractions.
With more than 150 events already registered nationwide, December in GH 2026 is expected to combine entertainment, cultural exchange, heritage tourism and business opportunities as Ghana seeks to strengthen its standing as a destination for the global African community.

The success of the initiative will depend not only on visitor numbers and the scale of events but also on the quality of services, the participation of local businesses and the extent to which the economic benefits reach communities across the country.
Entertainment
Daddy Lumba’s Widow Sues TikToker Maa Lizzy for GH¢10m Over Alleged Defamatory Claims
Akosua Serwah Fosu, widow of late Ghanaian highlife legend Daddy Lumba, has dragged TikTok personality Elizabeth Opuni, popularly known as Maa Lizzy, to court, demanding GH¢10 million in damages over alleged defamatory publications.
The professional nurse, who is based in Germany, accuses the social media commentator of making and circulating a series of false and damaging allegations about her following the death of her husband, Charles Kwadwo Fosu.
The suit was filed at the High Court in Accra on October 15, 2026, under suit number GJ/0050/2027.
Court documents indicate that Fosu is pursuing the action through her lawful attorney, Rachel Kissiwaa Akwuah, with legal representation from Kliemn Law Office, led by Francis Yaw Adiasani.
In her statement of claim, the plaintiff maintains that she has established a respectable reputation as a professional, wife, mother and member of society in Ghana, Germany and beyond.
She contends that the publications attributed to Maa Lizzy have injured her dignity, family standing and professional reputation.
Fosu further points out that she has become widely identified as the “Team Legal Wife” amid public discussions and controversies surrounding Daddy Lumba’s death and family.
The defendant is described in the court documents as the operator of a TikTok account bearing the name Maa Lizzy, which allegedly had more than 320,000 followers as of October 12, 2026.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant embarked on a sustained campaign of publishing offensive and fabricated claims about her. She alleges that some of the videos were subsequently shared by other bloggers, extending their reach to audiences in Ghana and abroad.
Among the statements outlined in the lawsuit are allegations relating to Fosu’s sexual conduct, personal character and previous relationships.
The court documents also attribute to the defendant claims that the widow was connected to the deaths of previous husbands and that she employed witchcraft and promiscuity against the late musician.
Fosu has denied the allegations, describing them as entirely false and defamatory.
She is asking the court to declare that the publications are defamatory and capable of exposing her to hatred, ridicule, humiliation and public disrepute.
Beyond the GH¢10 million compensation, the widow is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Maa Lizzy, her agents and assigns from publishing the disputed statements or making further similar allegations against her.
She also wants the court to compel the defendant to retract the publications and issue an unqualified public apology. The apology, she argues, should receive prominence and visibility comparable to the original content published on TikTok and other platforms.
The GH¢10 million claim includes general and aggravated damages, alongside legal costs and any additional relief the court may consider appropriate.
The writ of summons further directs Maa Lizzy to enter an appearance within eight days of being served with the court documents. Failure to comply could allow the court to proceed with the case and enter judgment in her absence.






Entertainment
Kwame Dzokoto’s Family Announces November 20 for One-Week Observation
The family of late Ghanaian actor and broadcaster Seth Kwame Dzokoto has announced November 20, 2026, for his one-week observation.
The ceremony, which will take place nearly a month after his death on October 22, will be held at the Roman Catholic School Park, close to St. Matthew Catholic Church in Tarkwa, in the Western Region.
Dzokoto, aged 51, reportedly collapsed after suffering a medical emergency while taking part in a live morning radio discussion on Owass FM in Tarkwa. His sudden passing left many in the entertainment and political circles mourning the loss.
He became a household name through his role as Judge Koboo in the popular television series Efiewura, where his humorous performances and distinctive delivery endeared him to viewers.
He also made significant contributions to broadcasting, notably as the presenter of TV3’s food programme Edziban, which focused on Ghanaian cuisine and promoted the country’s diverse food traditions.
Aside from his work in the media and entertainment industry, Dzokoto ventured into politics, building a public profile that extended beyond the creative arts.
His death sparked an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and well-wishers, many of whom acknowledged his impact on Ghana’s entertainment and broadcasting landscape.
The one-week observation will bring together relatives, friends, colleagues and sympathisers to pay their respects and celebrate the life and legacy of the late entertainer.

Entertainment
I Didn’t Mean to Disrespect You – Bobie Ansah Apologises to Stonebwoy
Ghanaian broadcaster and political commentator Kwabena Bobie Ansah has publicly apologised to dancehall musician Stonebwoy following comments he made about his preference between the Jejereje hitmaker and his long-time industry rival, Shatta Wale.
In an apology message shared on his official Facebook page, Bobie Ansah expressed regret over his earlier remarks, insisting that he never intended to take a swipe at Stonebwoy or disrespect his contribution to the Ghanaian music industry.
Addressing the musician as bruv, he acknowledged Stonebwoy’s achievements and described him as a legend in his own right, adding that he would not deliberately undermine or disrespect him.
“Hi bruv, I send you my sincere apologies concerning comments I made with respect to my choice between you and Shatta. Respectfully, I did not intend to take a swipe at your person,” he wrote.
Bobie Ansah stressed that his apology was not prompted by insults from Stonebwoy’s fanbase, popularly known as the Bhim Nation, but rather by his desire to address the musician’s displeasure over the comments.
He further referenced his personal experiences confronting a political party and former President Nana Akufo-Addo, claiming that he had endured years of insults, spiritual attacks and even physical threats without backing down.

According to him, his earlier comments were based on what he considered a genuine observation and were not intended to create hostility between the two entertainers.
The broadcaster also disclosed that he rarely listens to Ghanaian music, mentioning Black Sherif and Kofi Kinaata among the few local musicians he regularly listens to. He further made it clear that he is a fan of Black Sherif.
Despite this, Bobie Ansah assured Stonebwoy of his continued support, saying he was ready to support the musician at any time.
He concluded his message by appealing for forgiveness and emphasising the need for unity rather than hostility.
“It takes you and I to make Ghana a better place; practically, we cannot live under the roof of hostility,” he added.
Entertainment
Ghana Urged to Establish Convention Bureau, Build 20,000-Capacity Facility to Boost MICE Tourism
Ghana has been urged to establish a fully operational national Convention Bureau and invest in a world-class convention facility with a minimum capacity of 20,000 participants as part of efforts to position the country as one of Africa’s leading destinations for business events.
The call was made by Architect Ekow Sampson in an article titled A Case for MICE Tourism in Ghana: From Hosting Conferences to Becoming Africa’s Leading Business Events Destination, in which he argued that Ghana must move beyond relying on its traditional tourism attractions and take advantage of the growing global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism market.
According to him, MICE tourism presents a major opportunity to increase tourism revenue, create employment, attract foreign exchange and stimulate economic activities across several sectors.
He noted that MICE tourism is no longer a niche segment but has become a significant component of the global travel economy.
Citing estimates from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Sampson said global business travel spending reached approximately US$1.47 trillion in 2024 and is projected to exceed US$2 trillion by 2028.
He also referenced the 2024 WTM Global Travel Report, which found that international business visits increased by approximately 19 per cent in 2024, compared with about 11 per cent growth in leisure visits.
The report further projects that international business visits could grow by around 50 per cent between 2024 and 2030, significantly outpacing leisure travel.
Sampson believes these developments present an opportunity for Ghana to strengthen its position in the international tourism market.
He pointed to figures from the Ghana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) 2025 Tourism Report, which recorded 1,306,962 international arrivals, with business travel accounting for 31 per cent of the total arrivals.
He further noted that the entertainment and conference segment recorded 14.3 per cent growth, indicating increasing demand for conferences and related events in the country.
According to him, these figures demonstrate that business travel is already a major contributor to Ghana’s international tourism and should be treated as a strategic area for further investment.
He cited events such as the Global Assemblies of God Conference and the 2026 Call to the Ghana Bar ceremony at the IGCC Auditorium as examples of Ghana’s ability to host significant gatherings.
However, he stressed that such achievements should not remain isolated events, arguing that the country must develop a deliberate strategy to attract and compete for major international conferences, conventions and exhibitions.
Explaining the economic importance of the sector, Sampson said the benefits of MICE tourism extend beyond the venues where conferences and exhibitions are organised.
He explained that business visitors spend money on accommodation, international air travel, ground transportation, restaurants, entertainment, shopping and other tourism experiences.
Citing GBTA estimates, he said a business traveller spends an average of approximately US$834 per trip.
This includes about US$312 on accommodation, US$176 on air travel, US$153 on food and beverages, and US$103 on ground transportation.
He said attracting major international conferences could therefore generate economic opportunities for hotels, airlines, restaurants, transport operators, event management companies, tour operators, retailers and local communities.
Sampson also highlighted the potential of what is known as bleisure tourism, a concept in which business travellers extend their trips to enjoy leisure activities.
He observed that Ghana could use international conferences and business events to encourage visitors to explore the country’s cultural heritage, cuisine, festivals, natural attractions and creative industries.
Sampson identified political stability, democratic credentials, international air connectivity, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, strong diaspora connections and the presence of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra as some of Ghana’s major advantages in developing its MICE tourism industry.
He also acknowledged the foundation established by the Ghana Tourism Authority, which is a professional member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
However, he argued that Ghana must move beyond participating in international industry platforms and position itself as a leader in attracting major business events to the continent.
One of his major recommendations is the establishment of a fully operational Ghana Convention Bureau to coordinate the country’s efforts to attract international conferences, conventions and exhibitions.
He explained that the proposed institution should be responsible for identifying international events, preparing competitive bids, coordinating hotels, airlines and conference venues, supporting event organisers and promoting Ghana as a business-events destination.
The Bureau would also be expected to measure the economic impact of events hosted in the country.
Sampson said it should work closely with the Ghana Tourism Authority, relevant government institutions, local authorities and private-sector stakeholders to develop a coordinated national business-events strategy.
Beyond institutional arrangements, Sampson called for significant investment in modern infrastructure to enable Ghana to compete for large international gatherings.
He proposed the development of a world-class convention facility with a minimum seating capacity of 20,000 participants.
He also called for the accelerated redevelopment of the Accra International Trade Fair Centre into a modern hub for conventions, exhibitions and international trade events.
According to him, such facilities would enable Ghana to compete for major international congresses, religious conventions, professional association meetings, exhibitions and corporate events that may exceed the capacity of existing venues.
He stressed that institutional capacity must be supported by the necessary infrastructure if Ghana intends to attract larger and more prestigious international events.
Sampson also commended President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to develop an Accra Convention Centre, describing it as a step in the right direction towards strengthening Ghana’s position in the international business-events industry.
He, however, urged the government to translate the vision into concrete action by establishing the proposed national Convention Bureau, developing a world-class convention facility with a minimum capacity of 20,000 participants rather than the proposed 3,000-capacity facility, and accelerating the redevelopment of the Accra International Trade Fair Centre.
He maintained that Ghana could no longer afford to treat MICE tourism as a peripheral activity, particularly when business travel already accounts for 31 per cent of international arrivals.
Sampson argued that the 14.3 per cent growth recorded in the entertainment and conference segment in 2025 further reinforces the need for a more deliberate national approach.
He called for aggressive international marketing, modern convention infrastructure and strong public-private partnerships to help Ghana attract a greater share of the growing global business-events market.
He concluded that Ghana must shift its focus from simply hosting conferences to actively competing for them, insisting that MICE tourism could become a powerful engine for tourism growth, employment generation, foreign exchange earnings and national development.
Entertainment
EL– Talent Alone Won’t Take Ghanaian Musicians to Billboard
Ghanaian rapper EL has identified inadequate financial investment as one of the major obstacles preventing Ghanaian musicians from making significant breakthroughs on international music charts such as Billboard.
The award-winning musician believes Ghana has enough talented artistes capable of competing on the global stage, but the financial commitment required to achieve that level of success remains a major challenge.
Speaking in an interview shared on social media by Ameyaw Debrah, EL explained that the country’s music industry was growing but needed to move at a faster pace to maximise its potential.
“I don’t think anything is lacking. I think it’s growing at its own pace,” he said, adding that greater financial support could help accelerate the industry’s development.
Addressing suggestions that musicians need approximately $1 million to push their songs onto major international charts, EL indicated that such an amount could significantly improve an artiste’s chances of achieving the feat.
“If you have a million, you will definitely end up on the Billboard. Yeah, if you want it to,” he remarked.
Beyond financial investment, EL also expressed concern about the growing emphasis on branding, publicity and the entertainment side of the music business.
He argued that the industry has increasingly shifted towards image-building and marketing, sometimes placing less attention on the actual musical contribution of artistes.
“These days it’s become a lot more smoke and mirrors. It’s become a lot more about the showbiz aspects as opposed to what the talent is bringing to the table,” he explained.
Meanwhile, EL revealed that Bow Legge, a song from his collaborative project Dancing Machine with rapper D-Black, is currently his favourite track.
He also spoke about efforts to revive Azonto, explaining that although the popular Ghanaian music genre never completely disappeared, he and D-Black were working to bring it back on a bigger scale.
On his personal music preferences, EL mentioned legendary American entertainer Michael Jackson and British singer Sam Smith as two artists he enjoys listening to.
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