GhanaFest Alberta 2025 has been officially launched in Accra with a high-profile press soirée that positioned the festival not just as a cultural celebration, but as a growing platform for diaspora-driven business, tourism, and economic partnerships.
The event was hosted by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett, Head of Mission at the Diaspora African Forum, who warmly welcomed guests and lent her diplomatic presence to what many are now calling one of the most impactful cultural-business events on the diaspora calendar.
The evening was emceed by media personality Victoria Lebene, whose blend of charisma and professionalism added warmth and cohesion throughout the event.
In his keynote address, Mr. Jonathan Mingle, GhanaFest Alberta Representative, described the festival as a unique convergence point where “culture meets commerce, and legacy meets opportunity.” He emphasised its role in linking brands with people, and exporting African excellence to the world.
Mr. Michael Ofori, CEO of Investor Hub and Board Chair of GhanaFest Alberta, was credited for the strategic leadership that has shaped the festival’s evolution into an international economic platform. His efforts, organizers said, were central in aligning business interests with the cultural vision of the event.
The evening also saw strong representation from Ghana’s tourism leadership. Madam Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, lent her support, highlighting the festival’s potential to serve as a tool for both destination branding and tourism-led development.
Several high-profile figures graced the soirée, including Mr. Kofi Okyere Darko (Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Presidency), Bola Ray (CEO, EIB Network), actor and public servant Micky Osei Berko, and revered traditional rulers such as Obrempong Ameyaw Amponsem II and Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III—underscoring the festival’s broad cultural and institutional backing.
The event enjoyed wide media coverage thanks to strong partnerships with EIB Network, GHOne TV, STARR FM, and digital content creators such as Eugene Osafo-Nkansah (Nkonkonsa) and Harriet Nartey (Diplomatic Affairs TV).
Corporate and ecosystem partners including Brussels Airlines, Nova Pharma, Special Ice, and organisations like Women in Sustainability Africa and the Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce also pledged their support, highlighting the festival’s growing influence across industries and continents.
With over 10,000 annual attendees and a strong cross-border footprint, GhanaFest Alberta is rapidly establishing itself as more than an annual event—it is becoming a sustainable economic engine for the diaspora and a blueprint for cultural-commercial synergy.
Organisers are calling on forward-thinking institutions and brands to get involved in shaping the 2025 edition and beyond. As Mr. Mingle put it, “We’re not waiting for the future—we’re building it. And GhanaFest Alberta is where that future begins.”
