"Afro Gastro Festival 2025 is slated for Oct. 17 and 18" - Tourism Minister invites public

The Minister for Culture, Tourism and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has extended a warm invitation to the general public to join the Afro Gastro Festival 2025, an event that promises to celebrate Africa’s rich culinary heritage and cultural diversity.

The festival is scheduled to take place at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra on October 17 and 18.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, Hon. Gomashie announced that this year’s edition of the Afro Gastro Festival will bring together twelve African Union (AU) member states, making it one of the most vibrant cultural gatherings on the continent.

The participating countries will showcase their distinct cuisines, music, dance, and artistic expressions under one platform that highlights Africa’s unity in diversity.

The Minister emphasized that the Afro Gastro Festival is not merely a food fair but an immersive cultural experience that integrates gastronomy, art, music, and tourism.

She noted that the event will feature live band performances, cultural displays, and interactive cooking sessions that will allow visitors to engage directly with African chefs and culinary experts.

Among the highlights of the festival will be a special appearance by celebrated Ghanaian chef Chef Faila Abdul Razak, who will prepare Ghana Jollof—a symbolic dish in the ongoing “Jollof debate” across West Africa.

Chef Faila’s presentation, the Minister said, will underscore Ghana’s culinary identity and creativity while offering visitors an authentic taste of local cuisine.

Hon. Gomashie also revealed that she herself will step into the kitchen during the event to prepare a traditional Ghanaian meal, an activity she described as “a personal way of connecting with our people through food.”

Her participation, she said, reflects the Ministry’s commitment to promoting cultural authenticity and national pride through hands-on engagement.

The Minister further disclosed that the Afro Gastro Festival will not be a one-time celebration but part of a long-term cultural initiative aimed at strengthening Ghana’s position as a leading cultural tourism destination in Africa.

The Ministry, she said, intends to institutionalize the festival as an annual event that rotates themes around different aspects of African culinary and creative arts.

According to Hon. Gomashie, the festival aligns with the government’s broader vision of harnessing the creative arts and tourism sectors as major contributors to Ghana’s economic growth and social cohesion.

She expressed optimism that the Afro Gastro Festival will serve as a major attraction for both local and international tourists, stimulating business for local artisans, food vendors, and cultural performers.

She also encouraged Ghanaians from all walks of life to attend, stating that “the Afro Gastro Festival is a celebration of who we are as Africans — our taste, our rhythm, and our creativity.

It’s an open invitation to every Ghanaian to come, learn, eat, dance, and connect.”

The Afro Gastro Festival 2025 is expected to feature exhibitions, food tasting booths, traditional music and dance performances, art installations, and a cultural market showcasing locally made crafts and souvenirs.

Organizers say the event will serve as a platform for cross-cultural collaboration, culinary innovation, and tourism promotion, positioning Ghana as a hub for African food and culture.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith