Fantefest 2026, a cultural and tourism initiative aimed at projecting the heritage of the Fante people onto the global stage, was launched last Monday at the British Council in Accra.

The event brought together a host of chiefs from the Central Region, diplomats, tourism stakeholders and dignitaries, marking what organisers described as the beginning of a journey to connect Ghana’s culture with the international community.

Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Abeiku Santana, urged traditional leaders to position their regions as attractive investment destinations by leveraging culture and tourism.

“Culture is the soul of tourism. People do not travel thousands of miles simply to see buildings. They travel to experience people, traditions, history, festivals, food, music and authentic ways of life,” he said.

He stressed that festivals must go beyond celebration and serve as platforms for economic growth and global engagement.

“Festivals like Fantefest are not mere social gatherings. They are strategic tourism assets that will attract international visitors, strengthen diaspora engagement, promote domestic tourism, create employment and stimulate local businesses,” he noted.

Call to chiefs

 Mr Santana called on chiefs and traditional authorities to take advantage of such initiatives to build investment links for their communities.

According to him, traditional leaders play a critical role in shaping how their regions are perceived internationally, especially as Ghana continues to promote its cultural heritage globally.

“This launch is more than unveiling another festival. It is the beginning of a journey that will connect people, cultures and continents through the universal language of heritage,” he added.

He described the decision to host the festival in London as bold and strategic.

“It is a bold decision of taking Ghanaian culture beyond our borders and presenting it confidently on the global stage,” he said.

Mr Santana also highlighted the economic potential of cultural tourism, explaining that it supports multiple sectors within the tourism value chain.

“It generates income for our artisans, musicians, tour operators, hotels, transport providers and many others. This is why we must see festivals as investments, not just celebrations,” he stated.

Background

 Fantefest 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 25 to 27 at the London City Hall in the United Kingdom.

According to information from the organisers, the festival will showcase Fante culture through music, cuisine, fashion, arts and history, while creating opportunities for cultural exchange, tourism promotion and business partnerships between Ghana and the diaspora.

The event is also expected to highlight Ghana’s historical assets, including forts and castles, and promote the Central Region as a key cultural tourism destination.

Founder of the Obokese Foundation, organisers of Fantefest, Nana Obokese I, said the initiative was designed not only to celebrate culture but also to drive development.

“Fantefest goes beyond entertainment. It is an investment in cultural preservation, destination branding, creative industry, youth empowerment, diaspora engagement and economic development,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the festival would attract international attention and inspire visitors to explore Ghana.

“When the world gathers at London City Hall in September, we are going to display our rich Fante culture and give them compelling reasons to come to Ghana, explore our forts and castles, our festivals, cuisines, hospitality and our authentic stories,” he added.

He further called for collective effort in using culture as a tool for national development.

“Together, let us continue to use culture as a bridge for diplomacy, tourism investment, education and sustainable development,” he said.

The launch formed part of efforts to position Ghana’s cultural festivals as key drivers of tourism growth, while strengthening ties between the country and its diaspora community.