Ghana has a rich heritage of tribes and clans that uniquely co-exist with each other. Due to the differences in tribes, Ghana has many festivals that are celebrated by individual tribes each month. Festivals highlight aspects of the rich culture of the people of Ghana. Here is a list of some of the major festivals celebrated in Ghana in 2020.
January
Edina Bronya Festival – Elmina
Elmina is a fishing port on the Cape Coast of Ghana.
The Edina Bronya festival is similar to Christmas, Bronya is the Twi word for Christmas, but with a native and local touch. It is exclusive to the people of Elmina (Edina) and is celebrated on the first Thursday of the New year. In 2020, this will be January 2nd 2020.
Check out some celebrations from previous years below
The Dutch during the colonial period (1598 – 1872) introduced this Chirstmas celebration as a way of popularising the friendship between the Dutch and the Elimina people.
The celebrations start on the night before the festival when the local tribal Chief fires rifle shots at midnight from Fort St.Jago usher in the New Year. The celebrations continue throughout the next day as local clans come together and respects are paid between the clan chiefs. Much eating, dancing and merriment is seen throughout the day.
The festival climaxes with a slaughtering of a Sheep on the steps of Elmina Castle.
Apafram Festival
A popular Ghanaian festival celebrated by the people of Akwamu. They can be found in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
February
Papa Festival
The people of Kumawu in the Ashanti region celebrate this festival each year in February.
Dzawuwu Festival
Dzawuwu is a thanksgiving festival celebrated by the people of Dabala in the Volta region.
March
Damba Festival
The Damba festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Mohammed in the Dagbon, Gonjaland, Mamprusiland and Nanumbaland.
Asikloe Festival
The people of Anfoega in the Volta region celebrate the Asikloe festival.
April
Bugum, Serpeemi & Wodomi Festivals
These festivals bring together the Krobo people of the Eastern region.
Dipo
Dipo is a popular Ghanaian puberty festival which is linked to the Krobo people in the Eastern region. It is conducted to initiate young adolescent girls into womanhood.
May
Aboakyir (Deer Hunt) Festival
The people of Winneba celebrate the Aboakyir festival on the first Saturday of May. The chiefs lead the people in hunting deer.
Donkyi Festival
Donkyi is a festival celebrated in the Brong Ahafo Region if Ghana by the people of Namase.
June
Asafua Festival
The Asafua festival is celebrated by the people of Sekondi in the Central region of Ghana and it is a purification of the divinity of Asafua.
Kete Festival
The people of Secondi also celebrate the Kete festival within the month of June to honour the Kete-Kyen fetish.
July
Bakatue Festival
The Bakatue festival is to mark the opening of the fishing season for the people of Elmina.
Kuntum Festival (Yam Festival)
The Kuntum festival or the Yam festival is celebrated by the people of Enyam-Maim in the Central region.
August
Asafotu-Fiam Festival
This festival is a warrior festival celebrated by the people of Ada in the Greater Accra region. The festival starts from the last Thursday of July and ends within the first week of August.
Homowo Festival
The Ga people in the Greater Accra region celebrate this festival to hoot at hunger.
September
Fetu Afahye Festival
In the Cape Coast area, the Fetu Afahye festival is important as many communities celebrate it. The celebration starts on the first Thursday of September.
Odwira Festival
The Odwira festival is celebrated in the Eastern region withing the Akwapim towns in September and October. It is a very colourful festival.
October
Ohumkyire Festival
Ohumkyire is a well-celebrated festival by people in the Kibi area within the Eastern region of Ghana.
November
Fao Festival
The town of Paga in the Upper East region celebrate this Fao festival to honour their gods.
Hogbetsotso Festival
The ever-popular Hogbetsotso festival is celebrated by the Anlo Ewes of the Volta region each year.
December
Fiok Festival
The Builsas people of Sandama celebrate the Fiok festival to remember the ancient heroic acts of their ancestors amid drumming and dancing.
Adae and Akwasidae Festivals
The Adae and Akwasidae festivals are held once every 6 weeks at the Palace. The rich Ashanti culture is on full display during this festival.
