George Quaye says Ghana’s December in GH initiative has lost some of its momentum and needs stronger promotion and greater protection of its original
George Quaye says Ghana’s December in GH initiative has lost some of its momentum and needs stronger promotion and greater protection of its original vision.
The creative entrepreneur made the remarks amid growing debate about the success and branding of Ghana’s festive season, including criticism of the term ‘Detty December’ and calls for the celebrations to offer more than entertainment by creating opportunities for business, investment and professional networking.
The government has announced more than 150 events for December 2026 as part of the Black Star Experience initiative. The programme is intended to promote Ghanaian culture, tourism and hospitality while generating economic opportunities.
Speaking to Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, Quaye acknowledged that successive governments had the right to introduce their own ideas and policies. However, he argued that the existing initiative should receive more attention.
He said governments could launch new concepts, but any decision to move away from an established initiative should be matched by something more impactful.
December in GH was developed by the Ghana Tourism Authority to attract international visitors, particularly members of the diaspora, to spend the festive season in Ghana. It gained significant momentum during the 2019 Year of Return, when concerts, parties, festivals and homecoming activities became increasingly prominent features of the country’s December calendar.
The phrase ‘Detty December’ was popularised in 2019 by Ghanaian creative Bernard Kafui Sokpe, widely known as Mr Meister. He used the expression while preparations were under way for a December concert involving Nigerian musician Mr Eazi.
The branding has since attracted criticism. In May 2025, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin said the phrase presented Ghana negatively and pledged to challenge its use.
Kofi Okyere Darko, the Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Presidency, also questioned the concept in December 2025. Known as KOD, he said he preferred a festive season that extended beyond nightlife and entertainment to include investment, business opportunities and professional networking.
Questions about the performance of Ghana’s December celebrations increased after the 2025 edition. A social media post by Black Volta claimed the festivities had not met expectations, prompting wider discussion about the season’s success.
Event organiser and disc jockey DJ Mensah rejected that criticism, saying December in Ghana had been successful. He pointed to strong hotel bookings and several sold-out events as evidence.
For the 2026 festive season, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the Ghana Tourism Authority have unveiled a calendar containing more than 150 events across the country.
Running from 1 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 under the theme ‘Ghana to the World’, the programme is part of the Black Star Experience initiative. It will showcase Ghana’s music, fashion, food, heritage, culture and hospitality.
The government has also called on tourism and hospitality operators to improve service delivery, promote attractions beyond Accra and ensure the festive season creates meaningful economic opportunities for businesses and people working in the creative industry.
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