Organizers of the AfroTorch Festival have unveiled plans for its second edition, aiming to deepen connections between Africa and its diaspora through a blend of cultural immersion and historical exploration.
Launched at the World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, the event drew over 60 travel professionals, signaling growing interest in Ghana’s tourism offerings. Scheduled for December in Cape Coast, the festival will feature curated tours, a street carnival, and music events designed to celebrate the region’s heritage.
Michael Orleans, managing director of Torch Light Tours and festival host, emphasized its mission to “bridge the past and present” by fostering pride in African identity. “This isn’t just an event it’s a movement to reconnect people with their roots through storytelling and shared experiences,” he said. Activities include guided walks through Cape Coast and Elmina, home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, alongside a masquerade parade and the All Black Beach Party & Music Festival.
The initiative aligns with Ghana’s broader “December in Ghana” campaign, which positions the country as a year-end cultural destination. Orleans urged diasporans to “unleash your blackness,” framing the festival as an opportunity for healing and unity. “Come for the adventure, but leave with a deeper understanding of our collective history,” he added.
Beyond Ghana, organizers envision expanding AfroTorch to Senegal, Gambia, and South Africa, leveraging partnerships to highlight continental diversity. Meanwhile, a separate collaboration between Business & Financial Times and WangoWango will host a lakeside picnic safari at Lake Volta on May 1, promoting wellness through nature-focused networking.
Cape Coast, long regarded as Ghana’s tourism nucleus, faces renewed attention as festivals like AfroTorch seek to balance historical reverence with contemporary appeal. Analysts note such events’ economic potential, particularly in post-pandemic recovery, where cultural tourism drives both revenue and global visibility. Yet challenges persist in preserving authenticity while scaling experiences for international audiences a tension AfroTorch aims to navigate by centering local narratives.
As Ghana cements its role as a Pan-African hub, the festival underscores a broader trend: reimagining heritage not as static relics, but as living dialogues between tradition and innovation. For Cape Coast, the stakes are high. Its castles, once symbols of colonial exploitation, now serve as backdrops for reclaiming agency a metamorphosis echoing across the continent.
