At a Glance
- Accra’s Labadi Beach Hotel hosted its annual Oktoberfest, merging Bavarian beer traditions with Ghanaian hospitality and culture.
- The festival featured German and Ghanaian music, fusion cuisine, and a ceremonial beer poured by Germany’s ambassador to Ghana.
- Organizers say the event strengthens Accra’s profile as a cultural hub while boosting the city’s hospitality and tourism sectors.
Accra’s hospitality sector was on full display this past weekend as the Labadi Beach Hotel hosted its annual Oktoberfest celebration, drawing locals, expatriates, diplomats and visitors from around the world for two nights of Bavarian-inspired revelry.
Against the backdrop of Ghana’s Atlantic shoreline, the festival blended Munich’s iconic beer tradition with West African hospitality, underscoring the capital’s growing profile as a cultural and tourism hub.
Held at the hotel’s Adesa Pavilion, the event attracted a diverse crowd eager to experience one of the world’s most famous festivals in a distinctly Ghanaian setting.
Organizers highlighted that Oktoberfest in Accra is not just a party but also a showcase of cultural exchange, culinary exploration and entertainment-driven tourism that has cemented its place on the city’s social calendar.
For Accra, festivals of this scale are part of a broader strategy to position the city as a destination for lifestyle, leisure and international events.
With Ghana’s tourism industry expanding and the government seeking to attract more global travelers, Oktoberfest provided an opportunity to demonstrate how international traditions can be reimagined to fit local tastes while generating economic value for the hospitality sector.
A celebration of music and culture
Over two nights, the festival program kept guests engaged from early evening until midnight.
Long wooden tables, festoon lights and floral décor recreated elements of the Bavarian tradition, while communal dining and dancing gave the event its celebratory spirit.
For many attendees, it was their first taste of Oktoberfest.
A highlight was the performance by the Bayern Boys Band, flown in from Munich to deliver a soundtrack of folk instrumentals, oompah beats and traditional drinking songs.
Ghanaian acts including Seydou Magori and local DJs added homegrown rhythms, creating a blend of international and African sounds that kept the pavilion energized.
Food, diplomacy and cross-cultural exchange
The culinary offerings reinforced the festival’s purpose of cultural exchange.
Traditional German dishes—pretzels, sausages, schnitzel and sauerkraut—were paired with Ghanaian favorites and fusion plates, creating a menu that appealed to both local palates and international visitors.
The opening ceremony featured a ceremonial beer pour led by Germany’s ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshöft, underscoring the festival’s diplomatic undertone.
David Eduaful, managing director of Labadi Beach Hotel, said the celebration forms part of a wider strategy to enhance Accra’s tourism offering.
“Our goal is to bring the world to Ghana and Ghana to the world.
Oktoberfest is about cultural connections, hospitality excellence and encouraging Ghanaians to experience something new right at home,” he said.
Local impact and long-term growth
Beyond entertainment, the event delivered tangible benefits to Accra’s hospitality and service sector.
Vendors, caterers, event designers, musicians and suppliers reported increased activity, while nearby businesses also benefited from festival-goers.
Organizers pointed to opportunities for staff training, vendor partnerships and event-driven destination development.
What began as a niche cultural showcase has now evolved into a fixture on Accra’s annual calendar.
Its rising popularity reflects a growing domestic appetite for themed festivals and reinforces the city’s positioning as a regional hub for both leisure and business tourism.
A tradition made in Accra
As the final songs faded and the last mugs were raised, the message was clear: Oktoberfest at Labadi Beach is no longer a borrowed tradition.
It has become an Accra favorite—an annual celebration of food, music and community that strengthens the capital’s standing as one of Africa’s most vibrant destinations for cultural and hospitality-led experiences.
