Ghanafest 2018: 'The Legacy Continues' 30 years after it all started

On July 28, 2018, all roads and traffic lead to Chicago for the most spectacular, impressive and culturally rich festival produced by Africans in the diasporas, Chicago’s Ghanafest. The Washington Park, 5600 South Russell Drive, Chicago would literately be turned into an African village, where the Rich Ghanaian culture, pomp and pageantry would be on display.

The Theme for this years festival is The Legacy Continues: Honoring the Past, Preserving the Present, and Empowering the Future.

Over the years, the best of Ghana’s artists travels all the way from Ghana, to entertain patrons of the festival. This year is no exception, as Kojo Antwi, Bisa K. Dei and Daughters of Glorious Jesus are all slated and expected to put up an epic performance.

On Friday July 27, 2018, Kojo Antwi will jump start the Ghanafest 2018 weekend celebrations with a live concert at 3572 South Cottage Grove Ave. Chicago, IL 60653. With chart busting music in his arsenal, Kojo Antwi’s crowd favorite blend of Ghanaian highlife, Congolese soukous, Caribbean lovers rock and a dash of African American soul and R&B are a sure must attend event. Chicago’s own, Akua Blackstar Agyeman, known on stage as Sister Ella, will “warm” the crowd before the maestro himself, Kojo Antwi mounts the stage.

At the Ghanafest grounds on July 28, 2018, Ronald Kwaku Dei Appiah better known by his stage name Bisa K Dei, a Ghanaian native solo singer and record producer, will once again return to Chicago, where he mesmerized the crowd a few years back at an after Ghanafest party. This time however, he will be performing at the Ghanafest grounds where he was terribly missed by his fans years back. Musically, Bisa K Dei has had successful collaborations with top musicians in Ghana, Africa and the World at large.

Gospel music lovers would not be left out in the joy of Ghanafest festivities as The Daughters of Glorious Jesus,a renown gospel trio from Ghana, are scheduled to make an impact and appearance this year. Cynthia Appiadu (lead singer), Edna Sarpong, and Monica Owusu Ansah have promised to leave Chicagoans’ with a tasted of what made them a household name in the 80’s and 90’s.

The Ewe and Asanteman Associations cultural groups as usual will entertain revelers with spellbinding cultural displays.

GhanaFest™? After party will take place at the JC Martini Club 3124 N. Central Ave Chicago IL , from 10pm-3am. A line up of the best Deejays in the Chicago Ghanaian community and Bisa K Dei will be on show.



On Sunday July 29 2018 , the President’s second annual BBQ after Ghanafest party continues unabated at the Jackson Park, 6100 S Stony Island , Chicago Illinois. Music, food, serene atmosphere for family, camaraderie and network with friends and others would be a place to spend the day after Ghanafest.

Dignitaries lined up are Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois, and others.

Like the previous year, the gate fee is pegged at $10.00 each.

The Ewe Association’s Mama Awushi Adjaho is expected to grace festival

The gates will open at 11.00 am prompt and close at 10.00pm. As usual, there will be a variety of African arts and craft for collectors and lovers and casual buyers to choose from! A taste of Ghanaian cuisine featuring different mouthwatering Ghanain dishes would be on sale to attendees .

Prime Ghanaian web portal, Ghanaweb.com, will cover the festival live !