The streets of Takoradi came alive with colour, music and cultural pride as the Ankos Festival, popularly known as the Takoradi Masquerade Festival, took centre stage from December 25 to 27, drawing tens of thousands of revelers to Ghana’s Western Region.

The annual festival, which takes place across several towns but reaches its peak in Takoradi, is one of Ghana’s most vibrant Christmas celebrations.

This year’s edition drew renewed attention after Ghanaian traveller and content creator Mariame (@ryamchouu_travels) shared her first-hand experience on Instagram, describing the festival as “incredible” and a must-see cultural event.

“This is what Christmas looks like here in Takoradi,” Mariame said in a video documenting day one of the celebrations. “The whole town was alive — bright colours everywhere, music floating through the streets, and thousands of people dressed in their masquerade outfits.”

According to her account, more than 20,000 people flooded the streets, parading in coordinated masquerade groups, each distinguished by unique uniforms and intricate design details. From children to the elderly, participants and spectators alike took part in the festivities, dancing through the city in an atmosphere she described as “pure joy.”

Mariame joined the Supreme masquerade group, which she noted appeared to have one of the largest followings during the parade. While the masked performers endured the heat to maintain tradition, she opted to experience the procession without a costume, citing the intense temperatures.

Beyond the spectacle, the festival also stood out for its emphasis on safety and organisation. “Security was solid,” she said, noting a visible police presence throughout the event, which allowed participants to move freely and confidently through the city.

A key highlight of the festival is the competitive aspect, where masquerade groups face off to determine who presents the best costume and performance, adding excitement and anticipation to the multi-day celebration.

Mariame used the opportunity to encourage both locals and visitors—especially those in the diaspora—to explore beyond Accra.

“Ghana is so much bigger than just the capital,” she wrote. “This festival is vibrant, intense, colourful, joyful, and above all, safe.”

The Takoradi Masquerade Festival traces its roots to coastal traditions influenced by Afro-Brazilian and Caribbean cultural exchanges and has grown into a signature event that blends history, music, fashion and community spirit.

As Ghana continues to position itself as a cultural tourism hub for both Africans in the diaspora and international travelers, festivals like Ankos are gaining global attention for showcasing the country’s diversity beyond its major cities.

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Ghana’s capital is preparing to host one of the most significant Pan-African music events of the year as legendary South African icon Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Ghana’s Rocky Dawuni, Wiyaala, and highlife trailblazer Amandzeba Nat Brew headline the African Festival (TAF) Concert on December 30, 2025.

Scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), the concert will serve as the grand finale of the three-day African Festival, a flagship cultural experience anchoring Ghana’s globally celebrated Detty December season. Gates open at 7pm, with performances beginning at 8pm.

Billed by organisers as a “landmark Pan-African music night,” the concert is expected to attract thousands of music lovers, diaspora visitors and international tourists, reinforcing Accra’s growing reputation as Africa’s December cultural capital.

A multi-generational celebration of African sound

This year’s African Festival Concert brings together some of the continent’s most influential voices across generations and genres. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, widely known as the Princess of Africa, brings a catalogue that has defined African popular music for more than three decades. Rocky Dawuni, a four-time GRAMMY Awards nominee, is set to deliver his globally recognised Afro-roots sound rooted in peace, culture and social consciousness.

Ghana’s own Wiyaala, often described as the Lioness of Africa, is expected to electrify audiences with her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence, while Amandzeba Nat Brew, a living legend of Ghanaian highlife, anchors the night in heritage and tradition. Also on the bill are Bessa Simons of the iconic Osibisa band and The Adaha Band, whose contemporary live sound is expected to elevate the concert experience.

Together, the artistes promise a rare blend of rhythm, dance, history and cultural pride, celebrating African excellence on a global performance scale.

Part of a three-day Pan-African cultural journey

The concert crowns the African Festival, running from December 28 to 30, 2025, curated as a holistic cultural immersion designed to position Ghana as Africa’s leading December tourism destination.

The festival opens on December 28 with Don Quixote Africa, a bold African reinterpretation of the 1605 literary classic, reimagined within the Gonja Kingdom by playwright Latif Abubakar. On December 29, audiences will experience The Second Coming of Nkrumah: The Musical, a large-scale theatrical production envisioning the return of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Beyond stage performances, festival-goers will enjoy a wide range of cultural experiences, including The Den of History with fireside storytelling and film screenings, Sahara-inspired camel rides, iconic African installations, contemporary art and craft markets, an African food village, and dedicated family and children’s zones.

Strengthening Ghana’s creative economy

The African Festival Concert is presented by Globe Productions in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), ECOWAS Bank (EBID), MoMo (Mobile Money), the Embassy of Spain, and Joy Entertainment. Organisers say the collaboration underscores the festival’s role in advancing Ghana’s creative economy, cultural diplomacy and international tourism footprint.

Tickets and access

Tickets are already on sale, with prices set at GH¢300 for standard access and GH¢500 for VIP. Purchases can be made via www.theafricanfestival.com or by dialing 4471092#. The ticket hotline is 0571 900 900. With strong diaspora interest and December travel demand, organisers expect tickets to sell out quickly.

As Accra gears up for another high-energy December, the African Festival Concert is shaping up as a defining moment of Detty December 2025 — a night where Africa’s rhythm, history and unity take centre stage.

As Ghana’s Detty December reaches fever pitch, the inaugural Entertainment Week Ghana (EWG) 2025 is set to ignite Africa’s creative economy with a powerhouse week-long event from December 21 to 27 in Accra.

Billed as the continent’s premier gathering for the creative industries, EWG 2025 promises to “unleash Africa’s creative potential” through dynamic sessions on learning, collaboration, investment opportunities, and celebration.

The summit brings together founders, investors, content creators, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and industry leaders passionate about driving growth in entertainment, media, fashion, gaming, and digital innovation.

Organizers describe it as “the heartbeat of Africa’s creative revolution,” positioning Accra as the epicenter for networking and deal-making amid the global spotlight on African storytelling and innovation.

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With panels, workshops, pitch sessions, showcases, and exclusive networking events, EWG aims to bridge gaps between talent and capital while highlighting the sector’s multibillion-dollar potential.

Tickets are available via VIP Socio (www.vipsocio.com/event/entertainmentweekghana), with options for full-week passes, day access, and VIP experiences. Follow @entertainment.weekgh for updates.

As Africa’s creative industries boom—fueled by Afrobeats, Nollywood, and digital platforms—EWG 2025 underscores Ghana’s role as a gateway for global investment and collaboration in the continent’s entertainment renaissance.