DECEMBER IN CAPE COAST 2025 (AFRO TORCH) BY TORCH LIGHT TOURS

Torch Light Travel and Tours last Wednesday, March 5, 2025 launched the Second Edition of AfroTorch Festival. Started in 2024, the festival is a vibrant celebration of African heritage, culture, music, dance, and fashion, aiming to attract both local and international visitors. 

The impact of this festival goes beyond entertainment; it is a strategic tool to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and elevate Cape Coast as a top cultural and historical tourism destination in Africa.

The organizers, led by Michael Orleans, deserve high commendation for their dedication to positioning Cape Coast on the global tourism map. By curating an immersive experience that highlights the richness of Ghanaian traditions, the festival not only strengthens community identity but also increases Cape Coast’s visibility on the global stage.

Cape Coast is already home to the famous Fetu Afahye and Orange Friday which have significantly contributed to the city’s tourism appeal. Held annually by the Oguaa Traditional Council, Fetu Afahye is a grand festival that brings together the people of Cape Coast to celebrate their history, traditions, and spiritual beliefs. The festival features colorful durbars, drumming, dancing, and traditional rituals, attracting thousands of tourists each year.

Over the last decade has seen the introduction of Orange Friday Street Carnival into the activities of the Fetu Festival. This prelude to Fetu Afahye transforms the streets of Cape Coast into a vibrant carnival of music, fashion, and dance. It attracts large crowds, especially youth and diaspora communities, fostering a festive atmosphere that showcases the creativity of the region.

While Fetu Afahye is deeply rooted in tradition and Orange Friday offers a modern street carnival experience, AfroTorch Festival bridges the two, creating a year-round tourism experience that positions Cape Coast as a must-visit destination.

Instead of Cape Coast being active only during Fetu Afahye, AfroTorch provides an additional major festival that can attract visitors outside the traditional festival season.

With its focus on African heritage, arts, and music, AfroTorch can attract diaspora communities, cultural enthusiasts, and international tourists beyond Ghana’s borders.

In terms of boosting the local economy, more festivals mean increased patronage of hotels, restaurants, local artisans, farm produce transport services etc.

I have always argued that we can leverage on tourism development in Cape Coast to create sustainable economic development. This is because, Cape Coast, with its rich history, cultural significance, and coastal beauty, has the potential to become a tourism powerhouse like the City of New Orleans in the United States of America. New Orleans thrives on tourism, leveraging its music, history, and festivals to drive economic development and job creation. It attracts about 20 million tourists annually, generating over $10 billion in visitor spending.

Applying New Orleans’ Model to Cape Coast

Festival-Driven Tourism Growth: Like Mardi Gras, AfroTorch Festival can evolve into a signature African cultural festival, drawing global audiences. A well-marketed festival calendar including Fetu Afahye, Orange Friday, and AfroTorch will make Cape Coast a year-round tourism destination.

Culinary and Nightlife Appeal: Just as New Orleans is famous for Creole cuisine, Cape Coast must promote its Fante dishes such as fante kenkey, grilled seafood, and etsew to draw food enthusiasts to visit Cape Coast. Night markets, beach bars such as the Breeze, Heritage, Lush on the Coast, Shipyard, Hutchland etc, and live music venues can enhance the tourism experience.

Heritage and Diaspora Tourism: New Orleans capitalizes on its history of African American culture and jazz, just as Cape Coast has a deep connection to African diaspora heritage through its slave forts and castles. AfroTorch Festival can serve as an anchor event for diaspora reunions, similar to the Year of Return and Beyond the Return campaigns.

To ensure Cape Coast’s transformation into a premier tourism destination, government agencies, academia, private investors, and local businesses must support festival growth. AfroTorch Festival must, therefore, receive financial and technical backing to expand its programming, marketing, and logistics.

With the success of AfroTorch Festival, Cape Coast is well on its way to becoming Ghana’s leading cultural and historical tourism destination. By integrating it with Fetu Afahye and Orange Friday, the city can extend its tourism season, boost economic development, and attract global audiences.

We must therefore, support AfroTorch Festival to succeed! Let me use this opportunity to also commend Nana Obokese Ampah, Kweku Etuaful, Ekow Simpson, Samuel Afodat Troupe, Emmanuel Kweku Buckman and all those who are using their platforms to promote tourism development in Cape Coast. 

Richmond Yeboah (Ph.D)

Department of Tourism Management, CCTU

©Richmond Pro Yaw Yeboah