Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka joins Acting Gbese Mantse Nii Armah Okpah II for Kpekple sprinkling as summit explores investment opportunities and stronger economic relations between Ghana and the United States.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY | 18 OCTOBER 2026
Ga culture, traditional pageantry and business discussions took centre stage in Newark, New Jersey, as the Gbese Mantse Homowo Festival and Business Summit brought together traditional authorities, government representatives, investors, creatives and members of the Ghanaian diaspora for a four-day celebration from October 15 to 18, 2026.
The event, held under the auspices of Acting Gbese Mantse Nii Armah Okpah II, combined the celebration of Ga heritage with discussions on investment, entrepreneurship and opportunities to strengthen economic and cultural relations between Accra and Newark.
The programme was curated by Naomi Borley Alabi, Esq., Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), following her appointment by the traditional ruler to bring the Homowo experience to the United States.
Building on her earlier Oobakɛ Experience in Accra, the Newark edition featured a business summit, traditional Homowo festivities and a commemorative dinner in honour of the late Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi Bonte II.
Homowo Business Summit targets investment opportunities
The Homowo Business Summit, held on Friday, October 16, at the Robert Treat Hotel, focused on the theme, “From Heritage to Prosperity: Unlocking Accra’s Land, Enterprise and Investment Potential.”
Moderated by Kwame Owusu Danso, Executive Director of Lands and Mines Watch and the 2024 vice-presidential candidate of the Movement for Change, the summit examined Ghana’s investment environment, land administration, industrial development and opportunities for diaspora participation in the country’s economy.
Contributors included Marcus Randolph, Chief Operating Officer of Bizgro Partners, and Bro. Olabamidele Dele Oladapo, alongside institutional representatives and entrepreneurs.
Discussions highlighted challenges confronting Ghana’s property sector, including land disputes, multiple sales, inadequate documentation and development in flood-prone areas. Participants stressed the importance of transparency, proper due diligence and effective investor protection in building confidence in the sector.
The summit also explored opportunities in manufacturing, entrepreneurship, financing and cross-border investment, with particular emphasis on strengthening commercial relationships between Ghanaian and American businesses.
A separate panel on the creative economy brought together Gideon Aryeequaye, Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency; Anita Quarshie of the Ghana Free Zones Authority; musician Darkovibes; producer Mix Master Garzy; and a representative of Akuaba Fashions.
The panel examined intellectual property protection, access to finance, creative entrepreneurship and strategies for positioning Ghanaian music, fashion and other creative industries in international markets.
Aryeequaye welcomed participants in the Ga language, adding a cultural dimension to the discussions and underscoring the importance of preserving indigenous identity while expanding commercial opportunities for Ghanaian creative talent.
Newark Mayor joins Homowo procession
The cultural highlight came on Saturday, October 17, when Acting Gbese Mantse Nii Armah Okpah II led the traditional sprinkling of Kpekple through the streets of Newark, accompanied by Mayor Ras J. Baraka.
The mayor’s participation alongside the traditional ruler provided a visible expression of cultural engagement between the Ga community and the American city, bringing a longstanding Ghanaian tradition to Newark.
Homowo, which means “hooting at hunger”, commemorates the Ga people’s historical triumph over famine and celebrates resilience, thanksgiving and communal solidarity.
For members of the Ghanaian diaspora, the ceremony offered an opportunity to reconnect with their cultural roots while introducing younger generations and other communities to the traditions of the Ga people.
In another symbolic gesture, Louise Scott-Rountree, Councilmember-at-Large of the City of Newark, presented a commemorative plaque to Acting Gbese Mantse Nii Armah Okpah II, reflecting the cultural ties being cultivated between Newark and Accra.
Oobakɛ Experience honours late Gbese Mantse
The celebrations culminated in a commemorative dinner honouring the late Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi Bonte II, incorporating the Oobakɛ Experience, a cultural concept curated by Naomi Alabi to connect traditional heritage with contemporary Ghanaian entertainment.
The occasion combined remembrance with music, cultural expression and shared traditions, bringing together generations of Ghanaians to celebrate their heritage while paying tribute to the late traditional ruler.
Performers included Darkovibes, Gasmilla, Mix Master Garzy, DJ Millzy and Jupiter, who entertained guests during the evening.
The programme also received support from Mr Drew, DJ Willy, formerly of Radio Gold, digital personality Bill Is Different, King Jerry and Nii Funny, who contributed to the curation and overall delivery of the event.
Media and digital support came from platforms and personalities associated with GHOne TV, UTV, CDR, Ga Mashie Blogger and Ablade TV, alongside other content creators and members of the wider Ga community.
The dinner highlighted the role of traditional leadership in preserving the customs, institutions and cultural identity of the Gbese Traditional Area.
By incorporating the Oobakɛ Experience into the commemorative gathering, the organisers sought to connect respect for ancestry with contemporary cultural expression, demonstrating how Ga traditions can remain relevant across generations and geographical boundaries.
Corporate and institutional partners back initiative
The programme received support from Star Oil, Ghana Free Zones Authority, Accra Metropolitan University, GIHOC Distilleries, EMOTO, Newark Alliance and Invest Newark.
EMOTO, an electric vehicle assembly company operating in Ghana, represented opportunities in manufacturing and sustainable mobility, while Accra Metropolitan University highlighted its commitment to documenting and preserving Ga culture and heritage.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts participated through agencies including the Ghana Tourism Development Company, represented by Patricia Dzata and Lein Tetteh, and the Creative Arts Agency, represented by Gideon Aryeequaye.
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry was also represented, reinforcing the summit’s focus on enterprise development, investment and commercial cooperation.
The involvement of corporate bodies and public institutions provided a platform for discussions on how cultural diplomacy could complement trade promotion, investment and private-sector partnerships.
Accra and Newark pursue stronger economic relations
Beyond the festival, the organisers are seeking to deepen relations between Accra and Newark, with plans to pursue the finalisation of a sister-city agreement in the coming months, subject to the necessary institutional engagements and approvals.
The proposed initiative is intended to provide a framework for sustained cooperation between businesses, investors and institutions in both cities.
Potential areas of collaboration include trade, investment matchmaking, joint ventures, entrepreneurship and enterprise development, with the broader objective of translating relationships established through cultural exchange into practical economic opportunities.
The participation of Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the presentation by Councilmember-at-Large Louise Scott-Rountree and the involvement of Newark’s economic development institutions underscored the potential for further civic and commercial engagement.
The organisers envisage Accra and Newark serving as gateways for mutually beneficial business opportunities between Ghana and the United States, with cultural connections helping to facilitate lasting economic partnerships.
Ga heritage takes centre stage on the international stage
The Newark celebration demonstrated how traditional festivals can provide a platform for cultural preservation, tourism promotion, enterprise development and international cooperation.
From the Homowo Business Summit to the Kpekple sprinkling ceremony alongside Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the commemorative dinner featuring the Oobakɛ Experience, the programme connected Ghanaian cultural heritage with opportunities for international engagement.
For Ghanaians in the diaspora, the festivities provided an opportunity to reconnect with home, while offering international audiences a closer encounter with Ga history, customs and traditions.
For curator Naomi Alabi, the Newark edition marked another chapter in the Oobakɛ Experience, extending its reach from Accra to an international audience.
Through the initiative, Alabi continues to promote Ga culture through contemporary cultural experiences designed to connect generations, strengthen diaspora relationships and showcase Ghanaian heritage beyond the country’s borders.
The ultimate ambition is to ensure that the celebration of heritage goes beyond festivities to foster enduring cultural relationships, attract investment and create new avenues for cooperation between Ghana and the international community.
