The Ankos Festival, celebrated each year by the people of Takoradi is the biggest masquerade festival in Africa and the most popular festival celebration during the December festive season. This period is marked by a fine display of art, an acknowledgement of national unity, expressed in music and dance, and a rich display of fancy dressing.

The Ankos festival, also referred to as the Takoradi (Taadi) street carnival or masquerade is one rich, exciting, and insightful festival celebration held each season in Takoradi – Ghana. Each year, the region becomes the spotlight in the country during the Christmas festive season. This period is marked by people dressed in fancy colourful outfits, dancing to the tune of rich Ghanaian music from several bands. Several thousands of people from near and afar, within and outside, young and old, covers distances to engage themselves in this festival celebrations. The people happily march in the streets of Takoradi and enjoy the rich display of art by different groups of people.

During this period, there is a strong sense of national unity as people from different ethnic groups and religion participate in the Street Carnival. The anthem for the festival is the popular Ghanaian musician and song writer, Kofi Kinaata’s song dubbed “Made in Taadi”. The song has become the most played during this period to commemorate the occassion. The song could be translated as Christmas is made in Takoradi, in Africa’s own style, culture, and art.

The fancy dressing, coupled with exciting music and dance is one you cannot afford to miss in this year’s Ankos Festival. Welcome to Taadi, xplore with Brothers From Ghana and let’s celebrate this year’s Christmas the African way. When I say welcome to Taadi, then you respond “)rek)do!”- which literally translates as “it is on going”.