Detty December has become one of Ghana’s most powerful cultural exports. Each year, visitors from the diaspora and across Africa flock to Accra to immerse themselves in music, culture, nightlife, reunions, and festive celebrations.

Hotels overflow, Airbnbs surge in occupancy, restaurants are packed, and venues compete to host the season’s most memorable events. But beneath the excitement, a growing unease has emerged. Increasingly, both locals and visitors are asking a difficult question: Is Detty December still good value for money?

Complaints about high costs during this season now dominate discussions. Visitors speak of hotel rates that rival major global cities, restaurant bills that feel inflated, and nightclub reservations that come with unexpected charges.

Locals, meanwhile, report being priced out of spaces they regularly frequent, unable to enjoy the season without stretching already tight budgets. On social media, frustration is often framed as complaints, with some arguing that foreigners have driven prices up. Others accuse businesses of cashing in on the hype surrounding Detty December.

These reactions are understandable, but beyond attributing blame lies the real issue. The problem is not simply that Detty December is expensive. High prices are not unusual during peak seasons anywhere in the world. The real tension lies in the relationship between price and perceived value.

When costs rise faster than service quality, transparency, and overall experience, resentment follows. What visitors and locals respond to is not the bill itself, but the feeling of whether what they received justified what they paid.

This distinction matters because Detty December increasingly invites global comparison. When hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues charge premium prices, visitors unconsciously measure Ghana against cities with similar costs. In those places, pricing is often accompanied by predictable service standards, clear communication, and efficient systems.

When comparable pricing meets long waits, inconsistent service, or unclear charges, disappointment sets in quickly. The issue is not that Ghana should be cheap, but that pricing should feel fair. One recurring complaint concerns the numerous taxes attached to hospitality services.

Dining at a restaurant often results in a bill inflated by multiple taxes and, in some cases, an additional service charge.

For locals, the value gap carries a different emotional weight. December is not only a tourist season; it is also a time of homecoming, family gatherings, and cultural belonging. When everyday spaces become inaccessible, frustration turns inward.

The season begins to feel less like a shared celebration and more like an exclusive event designed for outsiders. This perception, whether intended or not, erodes the social goodwill that gives Detty December its unique energy.

The price–value conundrum has consequences beyond individual dissatisfaction. In the digital age, frustration spreads quickly: one complaint about overcharging can outweigh dozens of positive reviews. These stories become part of Ghana’s December narrative, shaping expectations for future visitors. When people feel cheated, they not only spend less but also warn others.

With many African countries competing for festive tourism, Ghana’s stakeholders must act to protect destination competitiveness and prevent tourists from turning elsewhere. Addressing this challenge requires coordination, clear communication and consistent service standards.

Tiered offerings could allow both premium and accessible experiences to coexist, ensuring that locals are not excluded while visitors still have options that meet their expectations.

Ultimately, Detty December’s success cannot be measured only by packed venues and revenue figures. It must also be measured by how people feel when the season ends.

Do they leave feeling satisfied, respected, and eager to return, or relieved that the bill is paid and the trip is over? Ghana’s challenge is not to make December cheaper, but to make it feel worth it.

The future of Detty December depends on closing the gap between price and value, before disappointment becomes the loudest story of the season.

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Dr Kofi Aning Jnr (Research Fellow, University of the Witwatersrand)