The National Commission on Culture (NCC) has clarified that its newly launched Black Star Christmas celebration is not intended to replace Ghana’s popular Detty December festivities.

The NCC recently faced backlash online following the launch of the cultural Christmas event, with some Ghanaians questioning whether it was being introduced as an alternative to Detty December.

Following the backlash, the NCC, in a statement issued on October 23, 2026, and sighted by GhanaWeb, clarified that the Black Star Christmas celebration was not intended to replace Detty December.

According to the NCC, Detty December was not created by any government institution but evolved through the efforts of Ghana’s event organisers, the Creative Arts industry, DJs, event promoters, and members of the Ghanaian diaspora who return home during the festive season.

“We have listened. Let us be clear: We are not replacing Detty December. Detty December was not created in an office.

“It was created by the Ghanaian people, by our event organisers and the Creative Arts industry, our DJs, event promoters, our diaspora family who return home every December, and by the collective creative spirit of Ghana. It is authentic, it is powerful, and it is ours,” the statement said.

NCC brings ‘Ghanaian Christmas’ to life with Black Star Christmas celebration

The Commission also outlined three objectives of the Black Star Christmas celebration following its launch.

According to the NCC, the event is intended to provide a deliberate platform for showcasing Ghanaian culture and heritage during the Christmas season.

The Commission listed its objectives as follows:

- To provide an official cultural event that gives Christmas celebrations a unique Ghanaian touch.

- To ensure that cultural sites, traditional festivals, and family heritage experiences are highlighted during Black Star Christmas.

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- To provide a safe environment for members of the Ghanaian diaspora and the general public, with a one-stop cultural village at Efua Sutherland Park from December 23 to 24, 2026.

The NCC, in its statement, also invited event organisers, creatives, and other leading voices in Ghana’s entertainment and cultural space to a stakeholder dialogue at the Commission.

According to the NCC, the meeting will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate and develop publicity strategies for Black Star Christmas.

JHM/AM

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