Culture
Harvest in Motion: How the Kobine Festival Keeps Lawra’s Traditions Alive
As the September sun softens over the savannah landscapes of Lawra, the air begins to pulse with the sound of drums, rattles and excited voices.
Men and women dressed in colourful traditional attire gather in open grounds, their feet moving rhythmically to the beat of the Kobine dance.
Children weave through the crowds, elders exchange greetings, and visitors are drawn into a celebration that transforms the town into a living showcase of culture, gratitude and community spirit.
The Kobine Festival, celebrated annually in Lawra in Ghana’s Upper West Region, marks the end of the farming season and the successful harvest of crops.
Named after the famous Kobine dance, the festival is one of the most important cultural events among the people of the area. It is a time to give thanks for agricultural abundance, honour ancestors, and celebrate the resilience and unity that sustain community life.
At the heart of the festival is the energetic Kobine dance itself. Accompanied by traditional drums and local musical instruments, dancers move in synchronized patterns that reflect strength, joy and communal harmony.
The performances are both entertaining and symbolic, expressing gratitude for the harvest while preserving traditions handed down through generations.
Beyond the dancing, the festival brings together chiefs, elders, families and visitors for a series of cultural activities.
Traditional ceremonies, storytelling sessions, community gatherings and exchanges of goodwill reinforce social bonds.
It is also an opportunity for people who have migrated to other parts of Ghana and beyond to return home and reconnect with their roots.
Today, the Kobine Festival remains far more than a harvest celebration. It serves as a powerful expression of cultural identity, helping younger generations appreciate their heritage in an increasingly modern world.
Spiritually, it reflects a collective sense of gratitude and respect for both nature and ancestral wisdom.
For travellers seeking an authentic cultural experience, the Kobine Festival offers a memorable glimpse into the traditions of northern Ghana. It is a celebration where music, dance, history and community come together, leaving visitors with a deeper appreciation of the rich cultural tapestry that defines Ghana.
Reels & Social Media Highlights
Ghana’s Digital Pulse: Kudus Criticism, A Garden Car, & A Jailed Journalist
If your timeline on Thursday felt like a whiplash of emotions, you weren’t alone. Ghana’s social media space was a chaotic, vibrant, and deeply engaging microcosm of our national psyche.
From the highs of World Cup camaraderie to the sobering realities of justice and viral oddities, Ghanaians brought the energy, proving once again that our digital streets are never boring.
The day’s most heartwarming moment came from an unlikely source: royalty. The Manso Nkwanta Hemaa, Nana Nyarko Aboraa Sika III, melted hearts by sharing rare photos of her daughters, accompanied by a powerful message of grace for young mothers.
The post, which drew admiration from celebrities and fans alike, struck a chord regarding the struggles of modern motherhood.
However, the vibe shifted sharply in the sports arena. Social commentator Bongo Ideas ignited a firestorm by calling out Black Stars star Mohammed Kudus.
With Ghana battling at the World Cup, Bongo Ideals questioned the midfielder’s silence, asking, “It’s all about his injury… Is this the starboy?” . The debate split fans, with some defending the injured player and others agreeing that national duty transcends the pitch.
Meanwhile, the team’s camp offered a counter-narrative of unity, as a video of Iñaki Williams showing his mother and brother Nico the team’s “jama” session went viral, showcasing the squad’s high spirits.
In a bizarre twist, a video of a car with an interior fully decked out in artificial grass—dubbed the “Kakum Forest car“—left netizens in stitches.
But the day had a serious edge. The jailing of The Herald’s Editor, Larry Dogbey, dominated discourse, with many pointing to an old post of his stating, “The law is the law,” which now appears ironically prophetic.
Arts and GH Heritage
The Atlantic Journey That Helped Shape Modern Accra
History often remembers the ships that carried Africans away. Far less attention is given to the ships that brought some of their descendants back.
Walk through parts of old Accra and traces of that return journey still linger. Behind weathered walls, distinctive balconies, and family names passed through generations lies the story of the Tabom people—Afro-Brazilian returnees whose homecoming helped shape the cultural identity of modern Ghana.
Their story is remarkable not simply because they crossed the Atlantic in the nineteenth century, but because they arrived carrying more than memories. They brought skills, ideas, and traditions forged through generations spent in Brazil. In doing so, they became living bridges between two continents connected by one of history’s most painful chapters.
A Community Built Between Two Worlds
The Tabom people settled among the Ga communities of Accra, gradually weaving themselves into the city’s social fabric. Their influence could be seen in craftsmanship, tailoring, carpentry, commerce, and architecture. The colourful Brazilian-inspired houses that once stood prominently in parts of Jamestown and other historic neighbourhoods reflected a cultural exchange unlike any other in West Africa.
Yet their greatest contribution may have been something less visible: the creation of a shared identity that embraced both African roots and Brazilian experiences.
Rather than existing as outsiders, the returnees married into local families, learned local languages, and became active participants in the growth of the Gold Coast. Their story challenges the idea that identity must belong to one place alone.
The Legacy That Lives On
Today, descendants of the Tabom community remain part of Ghana’s cultural landscape. Their influence can be found in family histories, architecture, commerce, and even sport. The introduction of football to the Gold Coast is often linked to members of the community, while celebrated figures such as boxing legend Azumah Nelson trace connections to this remarkable heritage.
The Tabom story is ultimately about return—not as a journey back to the past, but as the creation of something entirely new. In an era when conversations about identity, migration, and belonging continue around the world, their experience offers a powerful reminder that cultures do not simply survive movement. Sometimes, they flourish because of it.
Festivals & Events
Accra Set to Host Pan African AI & Innovation Summit 2026
In September 2026, Accra will once again position itself at the center of Africa’s innovation conversation as technology leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and curious minds gather for the Pan African AI & Innovation Summit at the prestigious Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra.
Set for September 22–23, the summit arrives at a pivotal moment for the continent. Across Africa, artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping industries ranging from agriculture and healthcare to finance, education, and creative arts. Against this backdrop, the event serves as more than a technology conference—it is a meeting point for ideas that could influence Africa’s economic and social future.

A Platform for Africa’s Digital Future
The Pan African AI & Innovation Summit brings together innovators from across the continent to explore emerging technologies and discuss how African-led solutions can address local and global challenges. As governments and businesses invest heavily in digital transformation, the summit offers a valuable platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and investment opportunities.
Hosting the event in Accra is particularly significant. Ghana has steadily earned recognition as one of West Africa’s leading technology hubs, attracting startups, multinational companies, and young entrepreneurs eager to build the next generation of digital solutions.
What Visitors Can Expect
Attendees can look forward to a dynamic atmosphere filled with keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking sessions, product showcases, and demonstrations of cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. Conversations are expected to cover topics such as machine learning, robotics, digital entrepreneurship, smart cities, fintech innovation, and the future of work.
Beyond the conference halls, visitors will experience the energy of Accra itself. The city blends modern business districts with rich cultural traditions, vibrant markets, contemporary art spaces, and a thriving culinary scene. International guests attending the summit will have opportunities to explore Ghanaian hospitality, sample local cuisine, and engage with one of Africa’s most welcoming destinations.
Why Attend?
For tourists, the summit offers a unique chance to witness Africa’s innovation ecosystem firsthand while discovering Ghana’s cultural richness. For local participants, it provides direct access to industry leaders, potential partners, and emerging opportunities in the rapidly growing technology sector.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the world, the Pan African AI & Innovation Summit promises to be a gathering where ideas, cultures, and innovation converge. For anyone interested in the future of Africa, Accra will be the place to be this September.
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