The 2026 Mepe Afenorto Festival recorded remarkable growth in its entertainment offerings, bringing together music, culture, tourism, art, entrepreneurship, nightlife and community activities to create a richer experience for residents, visitors and creatives.
Held in Mepe, the festival provided a platform for both established and emerging artistes, with nearly 50 young talents given opportunities to showcase their skills, connect with audiences and participate in the growing creative ecosystem around the festival.
The growth of the entertainment component was driven under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Sewornu Aforve, Head of Entertainment of the Mepe Development Association (MDA), with a focus on creating a more structured, diverse and sustainable entertainment experience.
One of the major highlights of the festival was the Mepe Afenorto Music Seminar, held under the theme “Building Sustainable Careers in the Digital Music Industry.”
The seminar brought together emerging artistes and industry stakeholders to discuss critical areas including music marketing, digital media, A&R, music publishing, branding, content creation and cybersecurity.
The festival also expanded its creative programming with the introduction of Sip & Paint, creating a new social and artistic experience for participants. The programme was well received and provided an additional platform for creativity, networking and leisure.
Meanwhile, the Mepe Afenorto Beach activities at Adzigo Torkor featured a combination of beach parties, live music, boat cruises and pontoon experiences, further strengthening the festival’s connection between entertainment, tourism and recreation.
Beyond entertainment, the 2026 Afenorto Festival also provided a platform for discussions around culture, tourism, youth development and economic opportunities within the community.
At the festival, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa highlighted the NDC government’s commitment to delivering on its promises and announced financial support for the festival on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC National Chairman.
Volta Regional Minister James Gunu called for peace, unity and the resolution of chieftaincy and land disputes as important factors in creating an environment conducive to development.
The North Tongu DCE, Victoria Amefadzi Yawa Doe, also emphasized the importance of preserving Mepe’s cultural heritage while strengthening collaboration among traditional leaders, government, development partners and residents.
The broader message was therefore not limited to the celebration itself, but reflected a wider vision connecting culture, tourism, economic opportunity, youth development and community growth.
According to Mr. Godwin Sewornu Aforve, the progress recorded in 2026 goes beyond the number of artistes who performed or the number of people who attended the various activities.
“It is about building a sustainable entertainment structure that creates opportunities for young people and positions Afenorto as a major cultural and entertainment destination.”
He believes that increased investment, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development and greater support for creatives will be essential to expanding the impact of future editions of the festival.
The achievements of the 2026 edition have therefore established a new benchmark for the entertainment component of Afenorto.
Looking Ahead to Afenorto 2027
Building on the progress made in 2026, the vision for Afenorto 2027 is to deliver a bigger, more structured and more impactful festival, with expanded programming designed to attract audiences from across Ghana and beyond.
The next edition is expected to introduce more engaging programmes and experiences while creating additional opportunities for artistes, creatives, entrepreneurs, businesses and other stakeholders within the creative and tourism ecosystem.
Achieving this vision, however, will require strong partnerships and corporate collaboration.
The Mepe Development Association therefore looks forward to welcoming sponsors, corporate partners, media organizations, creative industry stakeholders and businesses to come on board and contribute to the development of Afenorto 2027.
With the right partnerships, investment and collective commitment, Afenorto has the potential to grow beyond an annual festival into a significant platform for culture, entertainment, tourism, youth opportunity and economic development in Mepe and the wider Volta Region.
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