Tema is gearing up for what organizers describe as the city’s biggest culinary event yet — the first-ever Tema Food Festival, set for 27 December at the TDC Club House in Community 6.

Billed as a high-energy mix of food, music, and culture, the festival aims to bring the entire city together for a December celebration that showcases Tema’s diverse flavors and the creativity of its food industry.

From seasoned chefs to beloved street-food vendors, grilled favorites to pastries and colourful drinks, organizers promise an experience designed for families, friends, and anyone looking for a memorable holiday hangout.

“This December, we’re bringing something big, something fresh — something Tema has never seen before,” organizers said, noting that the event is meant to spotlight local talent while positioning Tema as a culinary destination in its own right.

Beyond the food, attendees can expect live music, city-wide vibes, and a festive atmosphere that leans into community spirit.

Organizers say the festival is not only for food lovers but also for vendors hoping to expand their reach at a high-visibility end-of-year event. Additional sponsorship slots will be announced in the coming days.

With December already a peak season for large gatherings across Ghana, the Tema Food Festival is poised to carve out its own identity — blending the city’s industrial grit with its growing cultural scene, and giving residents a fresh way to celebrate the holidays.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially announced that participants attending the upcoming Diaspora Summit 2025 in Accra will receive free visas.

The government of Ghana describes the gesture as an act of Pan-African solidarity aimed at strengthening global connections among Africans and people of African descent.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Ministry urged all prospective attendees to visit the nearest Ghanaian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate to obtain their complimentary visa before traveling.

The summit, scheduled for December 19 to 20, 2025 at the Accra International Conference Center, is expected to bring together thinkers, investors, activists, policymakers, and cultural leaders from across the continent and the diaspora.

Officials say the initiative aligns with Ghana’s long-running effort to position itself as a hub for diaspora engagement — a strategy that gained global visibility during the Year of Return (2019) and has since expanded to more ambitious programs.

“This gesture… is being extended in the spirit of Pan Africanism to allow Africans and people of African descent to participate in the Summit aimed at fostering cooperation and forging enduring partnerships,” the statement noted.

Registration Deadline Approaching
Interested participants must register online via diasporasummitghana.org by Monday, 8 December 2025. The Ministry is encouraging early processing through Ghana Missions abroad to avoid delays.

Countries Not Requiring Visas
The Ministry also reminded travelers that nationals of several countries already enjoy visa-free entry under reciprocal agreements. These include:

• All passport holders from:
• Barbados,
• Bahamas,
• Dominica,
• Mauritius,
• Seychelles,
• South Africa,
• Kenya,
• Lesotho,
• Eswatini,
• Mozambique,
• Tanzania,
• Trinidad & Tobago,
• Singapore,
• São Tomé and Príncipe,
• Uganda,
• Zimbabwe,
• Jamaica,
• Rwanda,
• Morocco,
• Guyana,
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
• Malawi, and
• Grenada;
• Diplomatic, Official, and Service passport holders from:
• Brazil,
• Colombia,
• China,
• Cuba,
• Germany,
• Sudan,
• Türkiye,
• Namibia,
• Hungary,
• Iran,
• India,
• Equatorial Guinea,
• St. Kitts and Nevis,
• Suriname,
• Venezuela,
• Malta, and,
• The United Arab Emirates.

The Ministry said it looks forward to welcoming delegates to Accra, adding that inquiries may be directed to its official channels or hotline numbers.

“Join the Diaspora Summit 2025 to connect with global Ghanaian and Pan-African leaders, gain insights from inspiring speakers, explore investment opportunities, and actively contribute to shaping Ghana’s future with the diaspora as a strategic partner,” organizers urge on the summit’s website.

For Ghana, the summit is more than a conference; it is a strategic move to deepen diaspora ties at a moment when global African identity, investment, and cultural influence continue to expand.

The free-visa policy signals the country’s commitment to lowering barriers and encouraging collaboration — a message that resonates strongly with diaspora communities long calling for meaningful reconnection with the continent.

Candace Mickens, an African American woman from the Washington D.C. area, has officially made Ghana her home after more than two decades of visits.

Her decision to call Ghana home embodies a powerful story of ancestral return and personal fulfillment.

In a heartfelt interview on the YouTube channel Ivy Prosper, Mickens shared that her first journey to the African continent was to Senegal in 2000, followed by her first trip to Ghana in 2002.

What began as a spiritual quest to discover her roots evolved into a lifelong connection.

“I am one of my ancestors’ greatest prayers,” Mickens stated, reflecting on her decision to purchase a home in Ghana’s Pārasi (which she affectionately calls “P-Town”). She recounted a profound moment standing in the “Door of No Return” at a former slave dungeon with three generations of her family, declaring, “I have returned. I have returned again and again and again… and I will keep returning.”

Her move is not without its advice for others.

With 24 years of travel experience across 14-15 African countries, Mickens urges caution to those in the diaspora considering a permanent move.

“For 24 years I’ve been encouraging people… [but] visiting and moving are two different things,” she explained. She strongly advises against relocating to a country without ever having visited, emphasizing the importance of experiencing the culture, navigating differences in communication, and understanding the communal way of life firsthand.

While she acknowledges challenges like infrastructure and traffic, Mickens focuses on the benefits: a vibrant social life, a deep sense of community, and the peace of mind that comes from her spiritual and ancestral connection.

“I feel so confident that my son, my black son, is being raised around people that are black, too,” she said, touching on one of her core reasons for putting down roots.

For Mickens, this homecoming is the fulfillment of a legacy, turning an ancestor’s prayer into a living reality.