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2026 Ashanti Festival popularly known as ‘AshantiFest’ has been officially launched to promote culture, tourism and skills training in Ashanti Region.
MTN Ghana is the lead sponsor for the 2026 festival with the theme “Our Stories, Our History, Our Culture”.
According to Senior Manager for Northern Trade at MTN Ghana, Simon Amoh, the company’s decision to partner the festival is in conformity 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, 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 stated.
Mr Amoh said the MTN Ghana would support a planned major concert, paying for all related costs such as artists, venue, and logistics, and had covered the entire cost of lunch for guests at the inaugural ceremony.
The company will also pay for the venue, jerseys, trophies, drinks, and awards for participating teams at the football gala.
According to Mr. Amoh, MTN Ghana is still willing to assist with other festival components if necessary.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, says the festival’s goal is to encourage private and corporate investment in the region’s respective sectors.
“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,” Dr Amoakohene said.
The Regional Minister emphasized concrete results from AshantiFest 2025 to prove the increasing investment in the project including the renovation of the Male’s Prisons Help Centre, with intentions to improve the Women’s section this year.
In youth development, a partnership with the National Youth Authority as part of the President’s Apprenticeship Programme led to the selection of 50 youths from each constituency, amounting to around 2,300 beneficiaries to receive training in diverse skills. Ten master were hired to support these complimentary training sessions, supplemented with monthly allowances and industrial equipment’s.
The festival has also triggered industry-wide organization, especially in fashion, as stakeholders established the Ashanti Fashion Industry Network to enhance and advocate for the fashion sector.
Moreover, attempts to rejuvenate the local film sector, commonly referred to as Kumawood, have been associated with the festival’s wider cultural objectives. According to him President Mahama has allocated Ghc2m to the movie industry and it was captured in the 2026 State of The Nations Address (SONA).
This year, a significant feature of the festival is promoting Lake Bosomtwe as a tourism access point to Kumasi.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene referred to the region as a vital investment prospect, highlighting that current road construction, like the Bosomtwi stretch and the Accra-Kumasi expressway, will enhance accessibility and increase tourism in Ashanti.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
