By Paul Mamattah
The Manhyia Palace in Kumasi is set to host the 10th edition of the Hollywood Africa Prestigious Awards (HAPAwards) from October 7 to 9, 2026, bringing together African royalty, global entertainment personalities and members of the African diaspora.
The three-day programme, to be held at the Jubilee Hall of the Manhyia Palace in the Ashanti Region, is expected to celebrate African and diasporic talent in film, music, fashion and the wider creative and entertainment industry.
The 10th anniversary edition is also intended to strengthen the connection between Africa and the global African community while recognising individuals of African, African-American and other backgrounds who have made significant contributions to their respective societies.
The programme will begin on October 7 with the African Showcase, followed by Creators’ Night on October 8. The final day, October 9, will be observed as King’s Night, during which the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will be honoured with the prestigious Royal Excellence Award, also known as the King of the Diaspora.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Founder of the HAPAwards, Tina Weisinger, said the awards were established 10 years ago out of a belief that Africa had extraordinary stories, talent and people whose contributions deserved global recognition.
According to her, the vision has since grown into a platform connecting Africa, Hollywood and the global community while creating opportunities for recognition, collaboration, cultural exchange and economic engagement.
She said the 10th anniversary was not merely about celebrating a decade of awards, but also about recognising 10 years of impact, relationships, resilience, creativity and cultural diplomacy.
She noted that since 2017, the HAPAwards had provided a platform for actors, filmmakers, musicians, fashion designers, comedians, entrepreneurs, business leaders, philanthropists, influencers and cultural icons to be recognised for their contributions to society.
“When Africa and Hollywood connect meaningfully, the possibilities are limitless,” she said.
Ms. Weisinger said Africa’s creative economy had moved beyond being an emerging conversation and had become one of the most exciting opportunities of the generation.
She noted that African music had gained a global audience, African films were crossing international borders, African fashion was influencing global culture, while entrepreneurs and young people were using technology and creativity to build businesses and shape the future.
Ms. Weisinger said the HAPAwards was therefore celebrating 10 years of building bridges between Africa and the global community.
The Executive Producer and Africa Representative of the HAPAwards, Adeola Odunowo, said the 10th anniversary was particularly significant because the programme was being brought to Ghana, a country he described as occupying a unique position in the history of Africa and the African diaspora.
He said while Ghana remained an important centre of diplomacy, business, culture and international engagement, the organisers wanted to take the 10th anniversary celebrations deeper into Ghanaian heritage by making Kumasi central to the programme.
According to him, Kumasi represents history, culture, leadership, craftsmanship, enterprise and the enduring strength of African heritage.
He said the decision to hold the Road to HAPAwards activities at the Manhyia Palace was therefore deliberate, as the organisers sought to connect the global entertainment and creative economy with Ghana’s traditional institutions and cultural heritage.
“This is not simply an awards programme; it’s a cultural and economic bridge,” he said.
Mr. Odunowo said the three-day programme would create a series of experiences and conversations designed to promote collaboration between Africa and the global creative community.
Representing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Chief of Amoaman in the Ashanti Region, Nana Agyenim Boateng I, said Ghana had for many years been making efforts to bring members of the African diaspora back home.
He said Africans who had lived in the United States and other parts of the world for generations had contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of their host countries, but many had not received adequate recognition for their achievements.
He explained that the Asantehene welcomed the HAPAwards initiative during the 3rd Awukudae festival and subsequently constituted a committee to support the organisation of the 10th anniversary celebrations at the Manhyia Palace.
According to Nana Agyenim Boateng, the initiative forms part of Otumfuo’s broader efforts to reconnect the African diaspora with their ancestral homeland and encourage them to return not only for emotional and cultural reasons, but also to invest in Ghana.
He said the world was increasingly looking towards Africa for investment opportunities and argued that members of the diaspora were well positioned to contribute to Ghana’s economic development.
He therefore urged Ghanaians to warmly welcome members of the diaspora and support the October programme to make the 10th anniversary celebrations a success.
The hosting of the HAPAwards at the Manhyia Palace is expected to provide a platform for cultural diplomacy, creative industry networking and investment discussions while showcasing Ghana’s rich heritage to an international audience.
