The Ashanti Region has officially launched AshantiFest 2026, with authorities positioning the cultural celebration as a strategic tool for economic growth, youth empowerment and tourism development, rather than just a festival.

This year’s festival, themed “Our Stories, Our History, Our Culture,” is being held in partnership with MTN Ghana, whose support extends beyond the launch to key activities including an artists’ concert and a football gala.

At the launch, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene stressed that the festival is designed to mobilise both corporate and private sector investment into critical sectors of the region.

“It’s an opportunity to rally our corporate and private society to support the respective sectors of the region. That is education, sports and recreation, culture, tourism, trade, agribusiness, among others,” he stated.

The Regional Minister highlighted tangible outcomes from AshantiFest 2025 to justify the growing investment in the initiative.

Among them is the renovation of the male section of the Prisons Help Centre, with plans underway to rehabilitate the female section this year.

In youth development, a collaboration with the National Youth Authority under the President’s Apprenticeship Programme saw 50 young people selected from each constituency, totaling about 2,300 beneficiaries to be trained in various skills. Ten master trainers were engaged to provide these free training, supported with monthly stipends and industrial equipment.

The festival has also catalysed industry-level organisation, particularly in fashion, where stakeholders have formed the Ashanti Fashion Industry Network to strengthen and promote the fashion sector.

Additionally, efforts to revive the local film industry, popularly known as Kumawood, have been tied to the festival’s broader cultural agenda.

This year, key highlight for the festival is the positioning of Lake Bosomtwe as a tourism gateway to Kumasi.

Dr. Frank Amoakohene described the area as a strategic investment opportunity, noting that ongoing road projects, including the Bosomtwi stretch and the Accra-Kumasi expressway will improve access and boost visitor inflows.

“The teams are on the ground. We should have a safer and faster route if we want people from across the country to come here for tourism,” he said.

The Minister further challenged MTN Ghana to invest in grassroots sports by establishing a regional youth team to nurture juvenile football and support local tournaments.

Senior Manager for Northern Trade at MTN Ghana, Simon Amoh, said the company’s decision to partner the festival aligns with its cultural values.

“Culture carries everything we do. We identify with the culture of Ashanti and the entire Ghana. MTN is an African company, and culture is an integral part of our life. That is how we carry education from one generation to another undiluted,” he said.

He encouraged residents to actively participate in the lineup of activities scheduled throughout the month.

“Let’s be very enthusiastic about what we’ve launched today. A lot of activities have been lined up. Let’s find time and be part,” he urged.

AshantiFest is increasingly shifting from celebration to a results-driven platform for growth in the Ashanti Region.

The Regional Minister urged traditional authorities to take a more active role in shaping future editions of the festival.

“The next AshantiFest, the chiefs and traditional authorities should bring on board which cultures and traditions they want to highlight, so they can be listed as part of AshantiFest 2027 activities,” he noted.