Ghana is set to mark Emancipation 2026 with a series of activities aimed at honouring the resilience of Africans affected by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and strengthening historical and cultural ties between the country and the global African diaspora.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has announced a two-week programme of events for this year’s commemoration, which will be held under the theme: “Reconnecting Roots, Celebrating Freedom, Experiencing Ghana.”
The celebration, scheduled from Saturday, July 18 to Friday, July 31, 2026, will take place in Accra, the Central Region, and the Upper East Region.
In a statement signed by Corporate Affairs Director of GTA, Bright Asempa Tsadidey, the Authority said the annual event reflects Ghana’s commitment to preserving its historical heritage, promoting cultural tourism, and deepening connections with Africans in the diaspora.
The activities are expected to attract traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic community, diaspora groups, development partners, cultural practitioners, students, and the general public.
The commemoration will begin with a Fitness Walk on Saturday, July 18, at 7:00am across four locations — Accra, Cape Coast, Pikworo, and Assin Manso.
This will be followed by a Durbar on Tuesday, July 21, at the Pikworo Slave Camp in the Upper East Region, providing an opportunity for participants to reflect on the history and experiences associated with the slave trade.
On Thursday, July 23, the GTA will organise a Tribute to Ancestors through a wreath-laying ceremony at three historic locations in Accra.
The ceremony will begin at 9:00am at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, continue at 11:30am at the George Padmore Library, and end at 2:00pm at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
The Authority said the activities form part of broader efforts to use tourism and cultural heritage as tools for education, remembrance, and the promotion of Ghana as a destination for diaspora engagement.
