The Cultural Oneness Festival will take place from December 10 to 13 in Northern Ghana, marking its fourth edition.
The event, organised by Taste of Africa, forms part of the December festivities that draw visitors from the diaspora, but this time attention shifts from Accra to the north for a celebration of heritage, unity and cultural exchange.
The festival will feature a colourful durbar of chiefs and people at Buipe, the capital of the Central Gonja District in the Savannah Region.
Activities will include a cultural exhibition and fair, a fashion show, and a Youth Empowerment Forum at the University of Development Studies (UDS).
Participants will also tour key historical sites such as the Salaga slave market, as well as experience the “Palace Experience,” which offers visitors a chance to engage with traditional royal customs.
The Cultural Oneness Festival is held annually to celebrate the cultural diversity of Northern Ghana and to promote unity, cultural exchange and economic development.
According to the Festival Coordinator, Tengol Kutuoyelzor Kplemani, this year’s edition is unique because, for the first time, a traditional leader from Kenya is participating. His Royal Majesty Nabongo Peter Mumia II, King of the Wanga Kingdom in Kenya, is attending the festival. Speaking at a press conference, the King said his participation aligns with efforts to unite African kingdoms and peoples through culture.
King Mumia II expressed strong support for the festival, noting that it brings together Africans on the continent and in the diaspora. He said he hopes to see such cultural gatherings expanded to other parts of Africa so more traditional leaders can take part. He stressed that unifying African cultures and kingdoms, both culturally and politically, will help strengthen solidarity across the continent.
He also praised the involvement of young people in organising the event, saying their participation inspires hope for Africa’s future. The King is accompanied by Prince Dr Hanningtone Makau Mudenyo, an advisor, and Prince Simon Mukenya Tiemedi-Nabongo, a member of the Council of Elders of the Mwanga Kingdom.
Chief Martin Glin, President of the Cultural Oneness Festival and Sunn Naa of Tolon, said the festival serves as a global unifying platform for African people. He added that this year’s focus includes youth empowerment through seminars and workshops organised in partnership with UDS. These programmes aim to equip young people with entrepreneurial skills that support economic independence and innovation.
President of the Harlem Tourism Board (HTB), Chief Tony Rogers, said the festival offers an opportunity to learn and experience the culture of the region. HTB Vice President, Chief Kwaku Richard Cox, highlighted the deep cultural connections between Harlem and West Africa, emphasising the potential for collaboration in tourism, cultural preservation, entrepreneurship and education. He expressed hope that the festival will spark new partnerships that expand economic opportunities, uplift youth, amplify Black creativity and strengthen bonds across the African diaspora.
Dr Flora Luyando, a member of the Harlem delegation, also shared her excitement about participating in the festival and experiencing Northern Ghana’s cultural richness. The Cultural Oneness Festival is a collaboration between Taste of Africa and the Harlem Tourism Board.
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