ACCRA, Oct 7 (The African Portal) – On October 17th and 18th, respectively, Kwame Nkrumah Memorai Park, Accra will come alive with the aromas of sizzling spices, the rhythms of Afrobeat, and the colours of a culture that spans continents. Ghana is set to host the AfroGastro Festival 2025, a celebration of food, identity, and the enduring ties that link African-descended communities around the world.
Organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and led by the sector Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the festival promises to be more than just a food event. It is a culinary and cultural homecoming, a unique opportunity for Ghana to welcome the diaspora not only with open arms but with open kitchens.
At its heart lies a profound recognition of food as memory, as story, and as bridge. Dishes that trace their roots to West African soil, many of them carried across oceans by enslaved people, will be showcased in both their traditional forms and their global evolutions. Visitors can expect to explore the shared ingredients and cooking techniques that have survived centuries of migration, adaptation, and resilience.
The 2025 edition features participation from more than thirty countries representing the African continent and the diaspora. From the Caribbean, nations such as Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados will bring their distinct flavours. South American culinary identities will be represented by Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Peru.
North America joins the fold through the United States and Mexico, highlighting traditions like Gullah Geechee cuisine and Creole influences. European representation includes the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands, whose Afro-diasporic communities contribute dynamic culinary narratives. From South Asia and the Middle East, India and Lebanon will also participate, acknowledging their historical ties to Africa and the movement of Afro-descended peoples.
From across the African continent, the festival welcomes culinary delegations from West Africa, including Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and of course, Ghana. North Africa will be represented by Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt. East Africa’s culinary heritage will be showcased through Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. Southern African traditions will be brought to life by Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa, while Central Africa will be represented by São Tomé and PrÃncipe.
Ghana itself will be on full display. All sixteen regions of the country will showcase their signature dishes and traditional beverages. From Akple and fetri Detsi, kenkey and fried fish on the coast to tuo zaafi and dawadawa-rich soups in the north, the festival offers a culinary journey through Ghana’s diverse food landscape. Local chefs and culinary historians will conduct live cooking demonstrations, offering not just recipes but the stories and cultural knowledge that shape how these foods are grown, prepared, and shared.
The AfroGastro Festival is not limited to what is on the plate. It is a full cultural experience designed to engage the senses, spark dialogue, and strengthen connections across the global African family. Attendees will enjoy live performances spanning genres such as Highlife, Reggae, Soca, Salsa, and Afrobeat. Traditional drumming and dance troupes from Ghana and the participating countries will provide vibrant, pulsating entertainment throughout the day.
Art will play a central role in the celebration. Both local and international artists will create live murals inspired by themes of migration and memory, while an Afro-diasporic art exhibition will present sculptures, paintings, and crafts reflecting shared histories and visions of the future. Educational panels, discussions, and workshops will explore topics such as African food history, culinary diplomacy, and diasporic identity.
The festival is also designed with intergenerational engagement in mind. Younger visitors and families will be treated to storytelling sessions, interactive art stations, and cooking classes for children, ensuring that the next generation connects with African heritage through hands-on experience and creative expression.
This landmark event is being supported by a strong network of national and international partners and institutions, underscoring its significance in Ghana’s cultural diplomacy agenda.
Supporting institutions include the Head of Civil Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Diplomatic Corps, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the National Film Authority, Ghana National Theatre, the National Commission on Culture, the Chefs Association of Ghana, the British Council Ghana, the National Folklore Board, the Pan African Writers Association, the British High Commission, the Bureau of Ghanaian Languages, the Creative Arts Agency, the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture, the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT), the Ghana Tourism Development Company, and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
In a world often fractured by division and historical amnesia, the AfroGastro Festival offers a different kind of feast, one that nourishes the spirit as much as the body. It is an invitation to taste not only delicious meals, but also the legacies of survival, innovation, and unity that African-descended people have carried across centuries and continents. Organisers describe the event as a joyful yet powerful reminder that the African story is not confined by geography. It lives in the kitchens of Louisiana, the streets of Havana, the markets of Kingston, and the homes of Accra. And now, through this festival, that story returns home,to be celebrated, honoured, and tasted.
The AfroGastro Festival 2025 is free and open to the public. As the world prepares to gather in Accra this October, the message is clear: Africa is not just where we come from, it’s what brings us together. For those seeking a deeper sense of connection, or simply a day filled with good food, music, and culture, the AfroGastro Festival is an event not to be missed.
This article was written by Delassie Mabel Awuku, Head – Public Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
