Ghana’s capital city, Accra, has officially been announced as the host city for the FESTAC Africa Renaissance Festival 2025, setting the stage for a landmark celebration of African unity, culture, and economic transformation. The launch event, held today at the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Head Office, brought together media representatives, creative industry stakeholders, and traditional leaders, heralding the start of what promises to be a transformative Pan-African movement.

Scheduled for September 21–27, 2025, the festival will position Accra as the epicentre of Africa’s cultural revival and socio-economic renaissance. The choice of dates is deeply symbolic—September 21st commemorates the birthday of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President and an iconic Pan-Africanist, while September 27th marks World Tourism Day, highlighting the synergy between culture and tourism as pillars of sustainable growth.

Speaking at the launch, Engr. Yinka Abioye, Chairman of FESTAC Africa, captured the spirit of the event:

“FESTAC Africa 2025 is not just an event—it is the heartbeat of a rising continent. Ghana stands ready, not only to host, but to unite Africa in spirit, purpose, and pride. From the land of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a new Africa shall rise. Ghana is the echo that will unite the continent.”

This year’s theme, “Harnessing Health, Culture, Trade, Climate Change, Gender Equity, and Tourism for Sustainable Economic Growth,” underscores the festival’s multidimensional vision. It aims to combine cultural celebration with purposeful dialogue around key development areas including health, gender inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment.

In her remarks, Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, emphasized Ghana’s pride in hosting the festival:

“GTA is honored to champion FESTAC Africa 2025. It will serve as a cultural and economic catalyst, advancing our tourism agenda and showcasing Ghana’s leadership as the cultural heartbeat of the continent.”

FESTAC Africa 2025 is expected to attract over 100,000 participants, with activities spanning art exhibitions, fashion showcases, cultural parades, trade expos, policy dialogues, and musical performances. The event also features guided tours of Ghana’s most iconic heritage and tourist sites, offering visitors a rich cultural immersion.

A unique aspect of this year’s edition is its call to the health sector across Africa to provide free health screenings and wellness services during the festival week. Organisers are inviting hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, traditional healers, and wellness institutions to partner in this act of compassion and community service.

“This is more than service—it is leadership through compassion. Let us lead by example and give back to the people of Ghana by ensuring access to essential health services during this historic celebration,” organisers urged.

FESTAC Africa has its roots in the historic FESTAC ’77 held in Lagos, Nigeria—a cultural milestone that brought together African and diaspora creatives, thinkers, and leaders. The 2025 renaissance in Accra is a continuation of that legacy, reimagined for a new generation of Africans.

“FESTAC Africa is more than a festival—it is a Pan-African movement of cultural reclamation, honoring ancestral wisdom, economic empowerment, and African pride. Africa’s true power lies not in her minerals, but in her people,” said Engr. Abioye. “Culture is our compass and our currency. We no longer need to seek validation from the West. Let us look inward—for the blueprint of our renaissance.”

With strong institutional backing and broad continental participation, FESTAC Africa 2025 promises to be more than a cultural event—it will be a declaration of African identity, excellence, and unity. The organisers are calling on public and private sector stakeholders, artists, civil society, media, and members of the African diaspora to actively engage and contribute to this historic movement.