Ghanaian diaspora official doesn’t want word associated with his country

Ghana’s official in charge of diaspora affairs said “Detty December”, a popular term for the end-of-year party season in Ghana and Nigeria, could have “negative connotations”, adding that he did not want the label to be associated with his country.

“Personally, I don’t want the word ‘detty’ to be associated with anything in Ghana…it’s something I’m not very comfortable with,” said Kofi Okere-Dakko.

“Detty” means “dirty” in the West African pidgin language and is used to express the unbridled fun of the year.

These celebrations are considered a huge boost to Ghana’s economy. Last December, more than 125,000 international tourists, many of them expatriates, arrived in Ghana.

Arrivals are significantly higher than in any other month – and the same was true for the three years preceding this.

Government branding has avoided using the term Detty December, opting instead to promote a tourism program called December in Ghana, Mr Okyere-Darko, who oversees Ghana’s relations with its large diaspora, told the BBC at the Ghana Diaspora Summit in the capital Accra.

“Somehow, young people prefer ‘Detty December,’ but officially, that’s not the name,” he said.

“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 responded positively to suggestions that the season could be renamed in a way that still appeals to younger viewers, saying December in Ghana could be abbreviated to the initials “DIG. Let’s dig it!”

The term Detty December became popular about eight years ago after Nigerian musician Mr. Eazi organized the Detty Rave Festival in Accra.

This December, Accra is packed with expats and other tourists at festivals, parties and concerts. Most come from the United States and Europe, range in age from their early 20s to their 40s, and socialize outside seven days a week.

American hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes performs a beat and brunch concert in Accra on Saturday, while popular British rapper Giggs performs at the Afro Paradise Festival on December 31.

Local stars such as Samini (considered the “godfather” of Ghanaian dancehall) and Reggie Rockstone will also perform at major events later this month.

In recent years, Ghana has been promoting itself as a tourist destination for people from the continent and the African diaspora. 2019, Government launches Year of Return – An initiative to encourage people of African descent to invest in the country.

Many consider the influx of foreign tourists in December a positive factor, but some locals complain of price gouging, overcrowding and traffic congestion during this period.

This year has proven that December in Ghana is no longer centered around non-stop partying.

In addition to the expected concerts and festivals, there is a growing number of investment seminars, networking conferences and cultural showcases, providing expats with access to the real estate, mining, fashion and textile industries.