Accra usually steals the spotlight every December with Detty December, but this year the energy is shifting north.
The Taste of Africa is hosting the fourth edition of the Cultural Oneness Festival from 10th to 13th December with a packed schedule of activities.
These include a colourful durbar of chiefs and people at Buipe, the capital of the Central Gonja District in the Savannah Region, a cultural exhibition and fair, a fashion show and a Youth Empowerment Forum at the University for Development Studies.
Participants will also tour key historical sites such as the Salaga slave market and enjoy the Palace Experience, which offers a visit to a royal palace for a closer appreciation of traditional customs and history.
The Cultural Oneness Festival is an annual celebration of the rich cultural diversity of Northern Ghana. It aims to promote unity, cultural exchange and economic development. According to the Coordinator of the Festival, Tengol Kutuoyelzor Kplemani, this year’s edition is unique because, for the first time, a traditional leader from Kenya is taking part. He noted that this is one of the core objectives of the event: to unite African people through culture.
The festival is being attended by His Royal Majesty Nabongo Peter Mumia II, King of the Wanga Kingdom in Kenya. Speaking at a press conference, His Royal Majesty said, “My participation in this festival is part of our goal of uniting the kingdoms in African and around the world.” King Mumia II expressed strong support for the festival since it is bringing together the African family both at home and in the diaspora. He envisions expanding these cultural meetings to other parts of the continent, enabling African kings and traditional leaders who could not make it to Ghana to join future gatherings elsewhere.
King Mumia II stressed that the ultimate aim is for African kingdoms and cultures to unite culturally and politically to strengthen continental solidarity. He highlighted how the involvement of young people in organising the event encourages belief in their potential to actively contribute to Africa’s future. Their participation creates hope and partnership between generations, fuelling ongoing efforts to build a prosperous and united continent. The King of Wanga is accompanied by Prince Dr Hanningtone Makau Mudenyo, also known as Adu, advisor to His Majesty, and Prince Simon Mukenya Tiemedi Nabongo, a member of the Council of Elders of the Wanga Kingdom in Kenya.
The President of the Cultural Oneness Festival, Chief Martin Glin who is also Sunn Naa of Tolon, believes the festival is a unifying platform for African people worldwide. “Our focus is on empowerment by exploring ways of creating sustainable sources of income and connecting investors with talent,” he added. This component will be delivered through seminars and workshops in partnership with the University for Development Studies and is aimed at equipping the youth with entrepreneurial skills in line with the festival’s objective of economic independence and innovation among the younger generation.
President of the Harlem Tourism Board, Chief Tony Rogers, indicated that the festival presents an opportunity to learn and experience the culture of the land. Vice President of the HTB, Chief Kwaku Richard Cox, stated, “Harlem’s heartbeat is rooted right here in West Africa. The rhythms, the stories, the resilience and the brilliance of the African diaspora flow directly from this soil to our streets, our music, our movements and our identity.” Chief Kwaku Cox spoke about the tremendous opportunities for collaboration in tourism, cultural preservation, entrepreneurship and educational exchange. He expressed hope that the festival will serve as a catalyst for new partnerships that expand economic opportunities, uplift youth, amplify Black creativity worldwide and strengthen the global African family.
A member of the delegation from Harlem, Dr Flora Luyando, expressed her excitement about the festival and said she is looking forward to the cultural experiences. The Cultural Oneness Festival is a collaboration between Taste of Africa and the Harlem Tourism Board.
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