GHANAFEST ALBERTA 2025 IGNITES DIASPORA BUSINESS AT STRATEGIC PRESS SOIRÉE HOSTED BY DIASPORA AFRICAN FORUM

The official launch of GhanaFest Alberta 2025 took place on June 11th with a high-level press soirée hosted at the Diaspora African Forum in Accra. Held under the theme “One Culture, Many Connections,” the event attracted business leaders, media executives, traditional rulers, government institutions, and diaspora influencers committed to shaping the future of culture, commerce, and connectivity.

Graciously hosted by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett, the press soirée signaled a powerful shift: GhanaFest Alberta is not only a celebration of Ghanaian heritage abroad, but also a platform for cross-border investment, brand visibility, and economic inclusion.

The event was skillfully emceed by Victoria Lebene of VL Exposure, whose presence and delivery added warmth, elegance, and connection to every segment of the day.

Delivering the official welcome, Mr. Jonathan Mingle, GhanaFest Alberta Representative, spoke with conviction about the evolution of the festival: “GhanaFest Alberta is where culture meets commerce, and legacy meets opportunity. It’s a space where businesses connect with people, where brands gain trust, and where African excellence is exported—not just showcased.”

Mr. Michael Ofori, CEO of Investor Hub and Board Chairman of GhanaFest Alberta, provided key strategic leadership throughout the planning and delivery of the event. His role in aligning the business community with the vision of the festival has been instrumental in elevating GhanaFest Alberta to a new level of impact and recognition.

One of the event’s standout moments was the active participation and support of national tourism leadership, including Madam Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority. Her presence affirmed the festival’s growing relevance as a tourism-forward initiative that reflects Ghana’s global hospitality agenda and commitment to positioning diaspora events as tools for destination branding and economic transformation.

The event drew dignitaries including Mr. Kofi Okyere Darko, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Mr. Nat Kwabena Anokye-Adisi (Bola Ray), CEO of EIB Network, Hon. Micky Osei Berko (Nana Kwesi Anyan Bekoe), Obrempong Ameyaw Amponsem II, Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, and other distinguished traditional and civic leaders. Their presence underscored multi-sector alignment and cultural authority.

The National Commission on Culture, under the leadership of Mr. Wakefield Ackuaku, served as one of the event’s strongest institutional anchors—reaffirming GhanaFest Alberta’s purpose as a global vehicle for heritage preservation and diaspora engagement.

Media powerhouses including EIB Network, GHOne TV, STARR FM, Bola Ray, and strategic media partners Eugene Osafo-Nkansah of Nkonkonsa and Ms. Harriet Nartey of Diplomatic Affairs TV, stood firmly behind the festival as cultural amplifiers. Their support helped drive narrative elevation, visibility, and deepened trust across digital and broadcast platforms—locally and internationally.

Corporate sponsors such as Special Ice, Brussels Airlines, Nova Pharma, and emerging partners like The Skin Pop Shop and Woena Beauty—which champions youth development through beauty, business, and faith—reinforced the festival’s value as a global-facing platform for brand activation, mentorship, and generational impact.

Strategic ecosystem partners like the Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Ghana Film Authority, and Women in Sustainability Africa were also in attendance, underscoring the powerful alignment of culture, enterprise, and legacy-building.

With its annual reach exceeding 10,000 attendees and growing international coverage, GhanaFest Alberta is now recognized as more than a cultural celebration—it is a diaspora-facing economic ecosystem.

Organizers are continuing to welcome partnerships for the 2025 edition and beyond. Businesses and institutions that share the vision are encouraged to come on board—not just for an event, but for a legacy.

As Mr. Mingle affirmed, “We’re not waiting for the future—we’re building it. And GhanaFest Alberta is the place where that future meets action.”