StoryFest Ghana: Three-day literacy and creative arts festival to debut in Accra in December

Ghana’s first national literacy and creative arts festival, StoryFest Ghana, is scheduled to take place in Accra from December 11 to 13, 2026, bringing together authors, artists, craftspeople, performers and young creatives for a three-day celebration of storytelling and Ghanaian culture.

The festival, organised by AMPLE House, will be held at the Accra City Hotel and is endorsed by the Ghana Tourism Authority as part of the December in GH 2026 programme.

According to the organisers, the event is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors over the three days, including an estimated 1,000 visitors from the diaspora and abroad and 1,500 students from more than 20 schools.

The programme will combine literary activities, creative exhibitions, food, youth-focused workshops and live performances, with organisers seeking to create a platform for Ghanaian stories and the people who tell them.

Christmas pantomime to headline festival

A major attraction will be BELIEVE the Musical, an original Christmas musical pantomime produced by AMPLE Productions and scheduled to run on all three evenings.

Written by entrepreneur and media mogul Jason Nana Yaw Mohan and directed by Vivian Boateng of Vivies Dance and Theatre Academy (VDTA), the production is set at a street junction in Accra.

The story explores themes of hope, family and the courage to believe, using live acting, music, dance and theatrical staging. The audience will also be incorporated into the ending.

The producers describe the show as Ghana’s first Christmas pantomime and hope it will help establish a new festive tradition for families spending the Christmas season in the country.

Six zones to showcase Ghanaian creativity

During the day, visitors will be able to explore six themed zones covering literature, crafts, food, youth development, digital creativity and tourism.

The Ghana Story and Book Village will provide opportunities for visitors to meet authors, discover books, attend readings and book signings, and participate in literary discussions.

The Made-in-Ghana Creative Market will feature 65 artists, designers and craftspeople showcasing and selling their work, offering visitors an opportunity to support local creative businesses and shop for Christmas gifts.

At the Taste of Ghana Food Court, visitors will sample regional dishes and contemporary Ghanaian cuisine while learning about the people and stories behind the food.

The Youth Story Zone will focus on children and teenagers, with activities in writing, illustration, poetry and storytelling.

The Creative Futures and Digital Storytelling Lab will explore how ideas can be developed into films, animations, podcasts and published books, introducing visitors to different forms of creative expression and production.

Meanwhile, the Heritage and Tourism Discovery Hub will showcase experiences and destinations in Accra and across Ghana’s 16 regions.

Storytelling competition offers US$5,000 publishing opportunity

Another key feature is Pitch Your Story, a competition organised in partnership with the Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP).

The initiative will offer one aspiring storyteller the opportunity to win a publishing contract with AMPLE Publications USA, alongside professional mentorship, in a prize package valued at US$5,000.

Entrants will be required to submit a short video explaining their motivation for telling their story. Shortlisted applicants will then pitch their ideas live at StoryFest in December.

The winner will be determined through a public vote when the programme is broadcast on national television.

Interested applicants can find entry details at amplehouse.net/storyfest.

Promoting literacy and the creative economy

Through its combination of literary engagement, live entertainment, creative enterprise and cultural discovery, StoryFest Ghana aims to bring together audiences of different ages while providing opportunities for writers, performers, artists and other creatives to showcase their work.

The festival will also form part of Ghana’s December tourism activities, a period when the country attracts visitors from across the diaspora and other parts of the world.

With its focus on books, performance, local craftsmanship, food and digital storytelling, the event is expected to offer families, students and visitors a range of activities throughout the three-day programme.

StoryFest Ghana will run from Friday, December 11, to Sunday, December 13, 2026, at Accra City Hotel.