For two unforgettable days, the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park transformed into a living, breathing village—where the past met the present, and culture was not just displayed, but deeply felt.
Thousands of patrons streamed into the park for the 2026 ‘Back to Your Village’ Food Festival, drawn by a shared hunger—not just for food, but for identity, memory, and connection.
A Feast Beyond the Plate
From the very first day, the festival grounds pulsed with life. Long queues formed at food stands as patrons eagerly waited for beloved Ghanaian dishes—banku with okro stew, fufu with light soup, aprapransa with crabs, tuo zaafi, and angwamo served in all its variations.
But this was no ordinary food fair.
It was a sensory journey. The aroma of simmering soups and grilled delicacies drifted through the air, blending with laughter, music, and the rhythmic beat of drums. Nearby, live cooking demonstrations drew curious onlookers, turning traditional recipes into shared cultural moments.
A Village Reimagined
At the heart of the festival was its most striking feature—the recreation of a traditional Ghanaian village.
Visitors wandered through distinct ethnic “villages,” alive with drumming, song, and dance. The spaces were immersive, inviting patrons not just to observe but to participate. Communal dining areas echoed the warmth of home, where meals were shared, and stories flowed freely.
For many, it was more than an experience—it was a return. A reminder of a time when food, family, and community were inseparable.
Traditional cookware—grinding stones, earthenware bowls, and other relics—lined vendor spaces, quietly telling stories of generations past and the enduring simplicity of Ghanaian life.
Music That Moved the Crowd
If food nourished the body, music fed the soul.
On Day One, the Edzordzinam Fafali Borborbor Band electrified the atmosphere with pulsating rhythms of Borborbor, drawing crowds to the dance floor. Patrons abandoned their meals and shopping mid-way, compelled by the irresistible beat.
The energy carried on with a thrilling performance by the Kwan Pa Band, whose fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds turned the festival into a full-blown cultural spectacle. With instruments like the seperewa, dawuta, and kpanlogo drums, they created a soundscape that bridged generations—earning cheers, dance, and sing-alongs from the crowd.
More Than Celebration—A Call to Action
Beyond the colour and celebration, the festival carried a deeper message.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, used the platform to call for a shift from rhetoric to action in strengthening Ghana’s food systems.
“This festival reminds us that our villages and rural communities remain the backbone of Ghana’s food system…,” she said.
She stressed that the concept of “Back to Your Village” must go beyond nostalgia.
“We are at a critical moment where ‘Back to Your Village’ should not just be nostalgia — it must be strategy…,” she added.
On Day Two, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, echoed the call—this time urging Ghanaians to actively support local products.
“What we have to do as Ghanaians is to believe well in ourselves and what we have to offer… If we appreciate what is coming from the North, South… we will reach far,” she said.
She painted a broader vision—one where patronising local goods fuels economic growth, boosts tax revenue, and drives national development.
Empowering Youth, Creating Jobs
For the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, the festival’s impact was clear: jobs and opportunity.
“I want to say ‘ayekoo’ to Channel One TV/Citi FM. This is a great initiative, and it is creating a lot of employment for our people out there,” she said.
She encouraged young people to seize opportunities within the food and creative industries.
“I will say that the youth out there… if you can cook like this, you can put yourself together…,” she added.
From vendors to performers, the festival became a platform where talent met opportunity—and where passion could translate into livelihood.
A Celebration With Purpose
Organised by Channel One TV with support from Citi FM, the festival was more than an event—it was a statement.
In an era of fast food and foreign influence, it stood as a bold response—reaffirming Ghanaian identity through cuisine, culture, and community.
As the curtains fell on Day Two, the echoes of music lingered, the taste of home remained, and the message was clear:
Ghana’s story is not only told in its cities or policies—but in its food, its people, and its enduring traditions.
And for those who were there, the journey “back to the village” was not just a return—it was a rediscovery.
Powered by Channel One TV, with support from Citi FM, the festival is sponsored by Ecobank, Gino, Didi Shito, Munchee Biscuits, the National Petroleum Authority, and Everpack.
