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Categories: William “Tony” Rogers,
The Harlem Tourism Board (HTB) was a co-sponsor of the 2024 Cultural Oneness Festival in Tamale Ghana. Tamale is in the northern region of Ghana. When most people travel to Ghana they usually stay in Accra the capital of Ghana. The focus of the annual Cultural Festivals created by Tengol K. Kpelmani and Chief Martin Chris Glin is to make the African diaspora aware of northern Ghana.
This was my first trip to Ghana, but it will definitely not be my last. I fell in love with the people who always greeted me by saying welcome home.
While there are many local languages spoken in Ghana most people speak and understand English since Ghana was a British Colony. Accra is a developed African city with beautiful buildings and large hotels like Marriott. Tamale is a laid-back area and is still in the developing stage. There is a great opportunity for development and investment.
Northen Ghana is rich in minerals, gold, silver, diamonds, and many of the African textiles and prints we see in the Harlem area.. Ghana is also known for its wonderful Shea Butter from the nut of African shea tree. It is ivory in color and is commonly dyed yellow with borututu root or palm oil. When you visit Tamale, you must bring back Shea butter it is a gift that keeps on giving.
When you travel to the high country in Tamale you will see villages that seem untouched by the fast life of urban living. The people are warm and have a loving nature. I felt like I belonged to every village we visited. I don’t eat meat, but the fish was wonderful, everything is fresh and chemical free. The cultural Oneness Festival featured workshops at the University of Developmental Studies, musical concerts and wonderful fashion shows.
I will be writing about the Cultural Oneness Festival a few more times because we plan to go back next December 2025. As soon as the dates are confirmed I will make sure that I let all that are interested know.
Photo left: HTB members
Richard Cox, V.P.
Tony Rogers, President
