Controversy erupts over origin of “December in GH” initiative
A statement by Baba Sadiq, the Parliamentary Candidate for Okaikoi Central Constituency, during Joy FM’s Manifesto Debate on the Creative Economy on September 14, 2024, has sparked a heated debate about the origins of the “December in GH” initiative. Sadiq attributed the concept’s origins to Live FM, challenging the assertion that the initiative is a novelty of the current government.
During the debate, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman, stated that the “December in GH” project was officially launched in August 2019. Baba Sadiq, however, responded that its inception predates the NPP government’s involvement, claiming that Live FM initiated the concept as early as 2016. He argued that the government’s current branding is not entirely new.
“Live FM already started ‘December in GH’ in 2016,” Sadiq remarked, drawing reactions across social media. This triggered responses from several key players in the industry, including Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), a former presenter at Live FM, and Mike Cooke, who provided additional historical context.
KOD, who was present at the debate, later clarified the origins of the concept in a Facebook post: “For clarity, ‘DECEMBER IN GHANA’ was a Live FM initiative in 2013.” He further stressed that Live FM played a key role in promoting Ghana as a December destination long before 2019.
Mike Cooke also offered a broader historical account, claiming that the idea can be traced even further back, to Vibe FM and Akwaaba UK in 1998. He highlighted their efforts to promote December events to the diaspora, including Vibe FM’s Champagne Parties, All White and All Black events at Boomerang Nightclub, and collaborations with Akwaaba UK to host notable figures like Tim Westwood. According to Cooke, these events laid the groundwork for the eventual development of the “December in GH” concept.
Cooke pointed out that a formal committee, led by the late Minister of Tourism, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, was later formed to strategize on promoting Ghana to the diaspora, particularly under the presidency of John Agyekum Kufuor. This committee helped shape events like Panafest and Emancipation, which sought to reconnect the African diaspora with their roots.
He also touched on the Joseph Project, a key tourism initiative that aimed to mark the 400th anniversary of the end of slavery and reconnect the diaspora to Ghana. He argued that the much-celebrated “Year of Return” in 2019, which saw a massive influx of diasporans to Ghana, is essentially a rebranded version of the Joseph Project. Cooke gave credit to the efforts of Hon. Catherine Afeku and Akwasi Agyeman for the successful execution of the Year of Return, which has since evolved into the vibrant December in Ghana celebrations.
The controversy over who deserves credit for initiating “December in GH” has led to differing opinions. George Quaye, head of ImageBureau, acknowledged that while efforts to promote Ghana during the festive season existed before 2019, the NPP government deserves credit for elevating it to an internationally recognized brand. He drew a parallel to how Reggie Rockstone is credited with founding Hiplife despite the genre’s earlier roots.
According to Quaye, before the NPP’s strategic push, December in Ghana was not the global party destination it is today. He pointed to the introduction of the “Year of Return” as the turning point that transformed December into a vibrant and bustling time in Ghana, attracting global brands such as AfroNation and the Global Citizen Festival.
He highlighted the fact that many events that defined Ghana’s December nightlife in earlier years, such as the Ghana Rocks Concert and other popular events, had faded out. The NPP government, he said, revived December’s vibrancy by sponsoring, endorsing, and amplifying events, leading to a record number of visitors and tourists.
As a result of these initiatives, December has now become a cultural phenomenon, with over 100 events scheduled for the month. The Ghana Tourism Authority has even developed a dedicated website to centralize information on December’s activities, further solidifying Ghana’s position as a premier party destination.
In conclusion, while there is debate over the origins of the “December in GH” initiative, the transformation of the month into a global celebration of Ghanaian culture and heritage is undeniable. Both the efforts of earlier pioneers like Live FM and Akwaaba UK, as well as the strategic initiatives of the current NPP government, have played significant roles in shaping what has become a key event on the global calendar.
Credit: Joyfm
