Festivals & Events
The Great Hug of Tema: Why the Kpledjoo Festival is Ghana’s Most Heartfelt Sustainable Celebration
In the coastal city of Tema, there is a season where the rhythm of the Atlantic waves meets the steady beat of traditional drums. It’s a time when the modern industrial hub pauses to honor a sanctuary older than its factories: the Sakumo Lagoon.
If you find yourself in Ghana this late March, you aren’t just a spectator; you are a guest at one of the most tactile and environmentally conscious celebrations in the Greater Accra Region—the Kpledjoo Festival.
The Soul of the Lagoon
For five months, a heavy silence hangs over the Sakumo Lagoon. A strict ban on fishing and crab trapping ensures the waters remain undisturbed, allowing the ecosystem to breathe and replenish.
This isn’t just tradition; it’s an ancient masterclass in sustainability. By the time March 28th arrives, the lagoon is teeming with life, ready to sustain the community for another year.
The festival begins with a sacred dialogue between the spiritual and the physical. On the banks of the lagoon, the High Priest performs intricate rituals to appease the deities—Nayao, Awudu, Sakumo, and Tsade.
Only after these rites are completed is the ban lifted, signaling a literal and metaphorical “opening of the gates” to the people.
Why You Can’t Miss the Hug
While many festivals are defined by distance and pageantry, Kpledjoo is defined by proximity. The climax of the event is a grand durbar that dissolves into a “free-for-all” hugging session.
In a world that often feels divided, seeing the chiefs, elders, and thousands of residents—both native and foreign—wrapped in passionate embraces is a sight to behold. This “hugging ritual” serves as a powerful social equalizer.
It’s a moment where old grudges are squeezed out, and the spirit of community is physically reinforced. Whether you are a tourist from Tokyo or a native of Tema, don’t be surprised if you find yourself pulled into a warm, genuine embrace by a total stranger.
A Masterclass in Peer Review
Kpledjoo also features a unique “peer review” system that would make modern HR departments envious. Youth groups, dressed in vibrant, fanciful costumes, roam the streets singing Kple songs. These aren’t just melodies; they are musical report cards. They praise individuals who have done good deeds throughout the year and playfully “name and shame” those whose behavior has fallen short. It’s a rhythmic, witty way of maintaining the moral fabric of the city.
Event Details
- Date: March 28, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Venue: Tema, Greater Accra Region (Start at the Sakumo Lagoon banks)
Recommendation
To get the full experience, arrive early in Tema Newtown. Find a spot near the lagoon to witness the priests’ arrival, but keep your camera ready for the afternoon durbar. Wear comfortable, lightweight clothing (white is a great choice to blend with the traditional aesthetic) and be prepared to move with the crowd. Most importantly, bring an open heart—you will be hugged!
Festivals & Events
Woven in Glass: Where Kente Heritage Meets Contemporary Art in Accra
On the ever-busy Oxford Street, where music, fashion, and street life collide, a different kind of energy is taking shape—quiet, reflective, and deeply rooted in heritage.
Woven in Glass invites visitors to pause and see one of Ghana’s most iconic cultural symbols in an entirely new light.
It’s not fabric on a loom this time, but glass—shimmering, fragile, and unexpectedly powerful.
Reimagining Kente for a Global Audience
At the heart of the exhibition is Ghanaian–British artist Anthony Amoako Attah, whose work bridges continents and centuries. His inspiration draws from Kente cloth, a textile historically worn by Akan royalty and imbued with meaning through intricate patterns and colours. Each design tells a story—of leadership, unity, resilience.

Attah’s approach transforms this visual language into glass, preserving its symbolism while shifting its form. The result is both familiar and surprising. In glass, Kente’s geometry becomes luminous, almost suspended in time, offering a fresh perspective on a tradition many Ghanaians grew up seeing but perhaps never fully examined.
What Visitors Can Expect
Step into the exhibition and you’ll find more than just art on display. The atmosphere is intentionally immersive—cool, contemplative, and quietly vibrant. Light plays across the glass pieces, revealing layers of detail that shift as you move. It’s an experience that rewards patience and curiosity.
Visitors can expect thoughtfully curated displays that highlight both the history of Kente and its reinterpretation. Conversations naturally emerge in spaces like this—about identity, craftsmanship, and how tradition evolves in a modern world. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply exploring Accra’s cultural scene, there’s something compelling in the way the exhibition invites you to look closer.
Why It Resonates with Everyone
For international visitors, Woven in Glass offers an accessible entry point into Ghanaian culture—one that goes beyond souvenirs and surface-level experiences. It provides context, depth, and a sense of continuity between past and present.
For locals, the exhibition carries a different kind of weight. It’s a reminder that heritage isn’t static. Seeing Kente reimagined in glass can spark pride, curiosity, and even debate about how culture should be preserved and shared. It’s both a celebration and a conversation.
A Moment Worth Experiencing
In a city that rarely slows down, Woven in Glass creates space to reflect, connect, and appreciate the artistry woven into Ghana’s cultural fabric—now cast in glass. Whether you’re visiting Accra for the first time or rediscovering it as home, this exhibition offers a rare chance to see tradition transformed without losing its soul.
Festivals & Events
KATON Praise 2026: Accra Prepares for a Night of Music, Faith, and Global Stars
On a warm May evening in Accra, the air won’t just carry music—it will carry anticipation, reunion, and a shared sense of purpose.
As voices rise and hands lift, KATON Praise 2026 promises more than a concert; it offers a powerful gathering where faith, culture, and community meet.
Set for May 1st at the open grounds of Ghud Park Accra Mall, this free worship event is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about moments on Ghana’s cultural calendar.
At its heart, KATON Praise reflects a growing tradition across West Africa—large-scale gospel gatherings that blend music, spirituality, and social connection into one unforgettable experience.
This year’s edition carries added excitement with the arrival of internationally acclaimed gospel artist Chandler Moore, whose return to Ghana has stirred anticipation among fans.
He will be joined by celebrated voices, including Joe Mettle and Phil Thompson, alongside other performers shaping contemporary gospel music. Together, they represent a bridge between global sounds and Ghana’s deeply rooted worship traditions.
But KATON Praise is not just about the stage—it’s about the atmosphere. Visitors can expect an open, welcoming space where strangers quickly become a community.
The night unfolds with live music, collective singing, spontaneous moments of prayer, and the kind of energy that comes from thousands of voices moving in unison.
Around the venue, the familiar rhythms of Accra life continue: food vendors serving local favourites, conversations flowing in a mix of languages, and the hum of a city that knows how to gather.
For international visitors, the event offers a unique window into Ghanaian spirituality—one that is vibrant, expressive, and deeply communal. It’s a chance to experience how faith is lived here: not quietly, but with music, movement, and joy.
For locals, it’s something equally meaningful—a moment to reconnect, to pause from daily routines, and to share in something larger than themselves.
Perhaps the most striking part of KATON Praise is its accessibility. Entry is free, and the event is also streamed online via Katon Meet, opening the experience to audiences far beyond Accra. It’s an invitation without barriers—one that reflects the inclusive spirit at the heart of the gathering.
As the night approaches, one thing is clear: KATON Praise 2026 is not just an event to attend, but one to feel. Whether you come for the music, the message, or the moment, you’ll leave with something that lingers long after the final song.
Festivals & Events
Akwasidae Goes Global: Washington D.C. Set for a Historic Asante Gathering
This summer, the rhythm of Asante drums will echo far beyond Ghana’s borders, as Washington D.C. prepares to host what is being described as the biggest Akwasidae Festival ever staged outside the kingdom.
On August 30, 2026, the presence of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will transform the U.S. capital into a powerful extension of Asante tradition and pride.
At its core, Akwasidae is one of the most sacred dates on the Asante calendar. Traditionally held at the Manhyia Palace, the festival honours ancestors, celebrates heritage, and reinforces the bond between the Asantehene and his people.
It is a moment where history is not just remembered but performed — through rituals, regalia, and reverence.
Bringing this centuries-old tradition to Washington D.C. carries deep meaning. For the global Asante diaspora, it offers a rare chance to experience the spiritual and cultural weight of Akwasidae without travelling to Kumasi.

It also signals how Ghanaian identity continues to travel, adapt, and remain rooted, no matter the distance.
Visitors can expect a spectacle of colour and ceremony. Chiefs adorned in rich kente, gold ornaments catching the light, and carefully choreographed processions will recreate the grandeur typically seen in Ghana.
The air will carry the sound of traditional drums, while cultural performances, storytelling, and communal celebrations bring the day to life.
Food will play its part too, with beloved Ghanaian dishes offering a taste of home to many and a new discovery for others.
For tourists, this is more than a festival — it is an open invitation into one of West Africa’s most influential cultures. For Ghanaians abroad, it is a homecoming of the spirit, a moment to reconnect with identity, language, and lineage.
As August approaches, one thing is clear: Akwasidae in Washington D.C. is not just an event. It is a cultural bridge, a royal gathering, and a celebration that promises to leave a lasting imprint on everyone who attends.
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