Ghana’s official for diaspora affairs has voiced discomfort with the popular phrase “Detty December,” saying he does not want the label associated with his country’s end-of-year festivities.
“On a personal level I don’t want the word ‘detty’ to be associated with anything Ghana… that’s something I’m not very comfortable with,” said Kofi Okyere-Darko, speaking at the just-ended Ghana Diaspora Summit held in Accra.
“Detty,” is West African Pidgin for “dirty,” has come to signify unrestrained fun during the holiday season. The term has gained traction among young people in Ghana and Nigeria, where December has become synonymous with parties, concerts, and festivals.
The celebrations are widely seen as an economic boon. Last December, more than 125,000 international visitors; many of them members of the diaspora traveled to Ghana, a notable increase compared with other months. Similar surges have been recorded in the three years prior.
Still, the government has avoided the “Detty December” branding, instead promoting its own initiative, “December in Ghana.” “The young people somehow prefer ‘Detty December,’ but officially, that’s not the name,” Mr. Okyere-Darko told the BBC.
He added that Ghana’s appeal predates the recent wave of December tourism. “I don’t think December is what attracts people to Ghana. People started coming to Ghana a long time ago. I remember December in Ghana at the turn of the millennium, with initiatives like Akwaaba UK.”
Mr. Okyere-Darko welcomed suggestions to rebrand the season in a way that resonates with younger audiences. He floated the idea of shortening “December in Ghana” to “D-I-G,” adding, “Let’s dig it!”
The phrase “Detty December” gained popularity about eight years ago, after Nigerian musician Mr. Eazi launched his Detty Rave festival in Accra. Since then, the city has become a magnet for diasporans and tourists, particularly from the United States and Europe, many in their 20s to 40s, who spend the season socializing nearly every day.
This December, Accra has hosted a packed calendar of events. U.S. hip-hop star Busta Rhymes performed at the Rhythm and Brunch concert on Saturday, while British rapper Giggs is scheduled to headline the Afro Paradise festival on December 31. Local acts including dancehall artist Samini and hiplife pioneer Reggie Rockstone are also set to perform at major shows.
In recent years, Ghana has positioned itself as a destination for Africans and the diaspora. In 2019, the government launched the “Year of Return,” encouraging those with African roots to visit and invest.
The influx of visitors in December is widely welcomed, though some residents complain of price hikes, overcrowding, and heavy traffic.
This year, however, the season has expanded beyond nonstop revelry. Alongside concerts and parties, organizers have added investment seminars, networking sessions, and cultural showcases, offering the diaspora opportunities in property, minerals, fashion, and textiles.
