Former Western Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has urged Members of Parliament and the general public to converge in Sekondi-Takoradi for the 2025 Christmas celebrations, reaffirming the twin city’s status as Ghana’s Christmas capital.
Making the call in a statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Darko-Mensah said that while Kwahu is widely associated with Easter festivities, Sekondi-Takoradi remains the undisputed home of Ghana’s Christmas celebrations, driven largely by its iconic masquerade carnival.
The annual masquerade, popularly known as Ankos, Fancy Dress or Kakamotobi, officially kicks off on December 19, peaks on December 25 and 26, and stretches into the New Year. The event attracts over 50,000 active participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere across the city.
According to the Takoradi MP, the carnival has deep historical roots linked to the Ahanta War formation led by Nana Gyan Kwaw, a war general who resisted slavery in the 18th century. He explained that the tradition was later reintroduced to Takoradi by seamen from the Ahanta area after its evolution in the Caribbean.
Beyond entertainment, Mr. Darko-Mensah noted that the masquerade movement has grown into a powerful platform for community development, with more than 50 groups supporting scholarships, sanitation campaigns and youth empowerment initiatives.
He also highlighted the significant economic boost the festivities bring to the local economy, with hotels, restaurants and entertainment centres recording peak patronage during the Christmas period.
The former regional minister commended the support of corporate partners, local authorities, the Ghana Tourism Authority, media organisations and security agencies, saying their collaboration has helped transform the carnival into a national tourism attraction.
Calling for broader participation in 2025, Mr. Darko-Mensah invited lawmakers, tourists and Ghanaians in the diaspora to experience the Sekondi-Takoradi Christmas festivities, describing them as a celebration of culture, unity and economic opportunity.
By: Christian Kpesese
