Kente & Fugu Festival
“Celebrating Heritage, Connecting the Diaspora, Promoting Investment”
Theme:
“One Heritage • One People • One Future: Promoting Ghanaian Culture, Diaspora Unity and Global Partnerships.”
Dates: 17th – 19th September 2026
Venue: Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy
Organized By
Nsaa Kente Group (Italy) In Collaboration With International Diaspora Union (IDU), Canada
Supporting Organizations
- Ghana Cultural Games Association (Official Cultural Games Partner)
- Ghana High Commission to Italy
- Municipality of Reggio Emilia
- Ghanaian Community Associations in Italy
- African Community Organizations
- Cultural Institutions
- Corporate Sponsors
- Media Partner
Concept
The Kente & Fugu Festival 2026 is a three-day international cultural diplomacy programme designed to promote Ghanaian culture, strengthen relations between Ghana and Italy, encourage diaspora engagement, and create opportunities for investment, tourism, education, trade, and cultural exchange.
Unlike a conventional festival, the programme is divided into two distinct phases:
Phase I (17–18 September 2026) focuses on official diplomatic engagements, courtesy visits,
investment discussions, networking meetings, and cultural exchanges involving invited dignitaries, government officials, traditional authorities, investors, and institutional partners.
Phase II (19 September 2026) culminates in the public Kente & Fugu Festival, featuring cultural
performances, exhibitions, traditional games, fashion, business promotion, food, tourism, and a Grand Durbar of Chiefs.
This format allows high-level delegates to establish relationships, discuss collaboration, and
participate in protocol visits before joining the public celebration.
Programme Structure
Day One
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Official Protocol & Diplomatic Engagement Day
Theme: Diplomatic Relations, Cultural Diplomacy and Institutional Partnerships
Morning
- Arrival of invited international guests and delegations
- Airport reception
- Hotel check-in
- Registration of delegates
Mid-Morning
Official Courtesy Visit to the Ghana High Commission to Italy
Objectives:
- Meet the Ambassador/High Commissioner and diplomatic staff
- Discuss Ghana–Italy cultural cooperation
- Present the objectives of the Kente & Fugu Festival
- Explore future partnerships
- Group photograph
Afternoon
Working Lunch hosted by the Ghana High Commission
Topics include:
- Diaspora development
- Investment promotion
- Tourism
- Education
- Cultural diplomacy
Late Afternoon
Networking Session
Participants:
- Traditional leaders
- Investors
- Diplomats
- IDU representatives
- Nsaa Kente Group executives
- Business leaders
Evening
Welcome Reception and Cultural Networking Dinner
Day Two
Friday, 18 September 2026
Government & Investment Engagement Day
Morning
Official Courtesy Visit to the Mayor of Reggio Emilia
Programme:
- Welcome by the Mayor
- Presentation of gifts
- Cultural exchange
- Signing of the Visitors’ Book
- Group photographs
- Discussion on cultural cooperation
Mid-morning
Official Visit to Reggio Emilia City Council
Topics:
- Sister-city opportunities
- Tourism collaboration
- Youth exchange programmes
- Cultural festivals
- Economic cooperation
- Community integration
Afternoon
Italy–Ghana Business & Investment Roundtable
Discussion areas:
- Tourism
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Fashion
- Textiles
- Technology
- Education
- Health
- Creative industries
Investment Networking Lunch
Business matchmaking between:
- Italian investors
- Ghanaian entrepreneurs
- Diaspora business leaders
Evening
VIP Reception
Hosted by Nsaa Kente Group and IDU
Day Three
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Grand Kente & Fugu Festival
Theme: Celebrating Ghanaian Heritage and Global Partnerships
Morning
- Traditional Procession
- Arrival of Chiefs
- Arrival of Queen Mothers
- Arrival of Special Guests
- Traditional Drumming
- Cultural Parade
- Official Opening Ceremony
- National Anthems
- Traditional Prayer
- Christian Prayer
- Islamic Prayer
- Welcome Address
- Festival Opening
Grand Durbar Of Chiefs
Royal Procession
Traditional Greetings
Chiefs’ Addresses
Special Guest Address
IDU President’s Address
Mayor’s Remarks
Ghana High Commission Remarks
Cultural Heritage Showcase
- Kente Exhibition
- Fugu Exhibition
- Traditional Regalia Display
- Ghanaian Art Exhibition
- Craft Village
Ghana Cultural Games Showcase
Presented by the Ghana Cultural Games Association (Official Supporting Organization) The Ghana Cultural Games Association will present a special exhibition of Ghana’s indigenous games, giving visitors an opportunity to experience traditional recreational activities that have been passed down through generations. Featured games include:
- Oware
- Ampe
- Chaskele
- Push Wrestling
- Arm Wrestling
- Catapult Game
- Nte Game
- Aman Ball
- Kontiball
- Kick Volley
- Ball Hole
- Dip Hold
- Ludo
- Draughts (Dame)
- Sky Football
International guests, children, youth, and invited dignitaries will have the opportunity to participate in selected games as part of the cultural exchange programme.
Cultural Performances
- Traditional dance
- Adowa
- Kpanlogo
- Borborbor
- Bamaya
- Fontomfrom
- Drumming performances
- Poetry
- Storytelling
Ghanaian Food Festival
Traditional cuisine from across Ghana, including dishes from the Northern, Ashanti, Volta, Central, Western, Eastern, Greater Accra, Bono, and Upper regions.
African Fashion Show
- Kente Fashion
- Fugu Fashion
- Contemporary African Designers
- Traditional Wedding Attire
- Royal Regalia Showcase
Business & Tourism Exhibition
- Investment Promotion Pavilion
- Ghana Tourism Promotion
- Trade Exhibition
- SME Showcase
- Diaspora Business Pavilion
- Education Exhibition
- Health & Wellness Pavilion
Kente & Fugu Cultural Awards
Recognition of:
- Outstanding Traditional Leader
- Outstanding Cultural Ambassador
- Outstanding Diaspora Leader
- Outstanding Investor
- Outstanding Business Leader
- Outstanding Youth Leader
- Outstanding Woman Leader
- Outstanding Cultural Organization
- Outstanding Tourism Promoter
- Outstanding Community Leader
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Grand Cultural Concert
- Ghanaian musicians
- Traditional cultural troupes
- African dance groups
- International guest performers
- Live Highlife
- Afrobeat performances
Closing Ceremony
- Festival Report
- Vote of Thanks
- Presentation of Certificates
- Closing Remarks
- Cultural Finale
- Fireworks and Networking Reception