Roadmap: Inspiring cultural institutions: The groundbreaking new ‘Gastro Feastival: A pioneering movement for Ghana’s vibrant food ecosystem.

• Setting the stage for culinary lovers, key farm to table value chain producers, media & policy-makers to advance the nation’s food culture and economic landscape.

“Food”, as stated by entertainment mogul, the CEO of Charterhouse and convenor of a brand new festival on gastronomy, “is about more than just sustenance. It is culture, it is industry and it is economic power.” 

This is how Mrs. Theresa Ayoade set the tone last March while celebrating International Women’s Day, as she led her team at Charterhouse to launch the “Gastro Feastival”, a trailblazing, full-sensory food, business and cultural event designed to spotlight Ghana’s culinary and food system potential!

Structured around four core value chains, namely; Production (Farming), Processing, Distribution and Consumption, the Gastro Feastival is set to spark a bold and vibrant movement that will seek to transform Ghana’s food culture and economic landscape. 

Launched at a ‘Women in Agribusiness’ Mixer, that event gathered several key stakeholders across the food ecosystem to explore the challenges and opportunities for women-led agribusiness ventures, laying the groundwork for the Feastival’s inclusive and impact-driven programming.

As a 360° marketing communications, event production, audiovisual content creation and event design house, Charterhouse Productions Ltd. is Ghana’s foremost creative enterprise which celebrates 25 years of excellence this year. 

Over the years, the powerhouse of memorable events has evolved and designed several event platforms for the Creative Arts sector, and executed over 5,000 corporate events. Through these they have nurtured, trained and empowered thousands of creatives while building impactful national experiences that bridge industry and consumers.

As part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, they instituted an initiative dubbed  The Business Elevate Series – which, progressive in approach, is a thought leadership and sector engagement programme designed to spotlight key industries and drive inclusive growth through storytelling, stakeholder dialogue and strategic convening.

It is as part of this initiative that they unveiled “Gastro Feastival”, as the flagship roll-out of the series, which takes the form of a nationally curated platform to reimagine Ghana’s food value chain. It is scheduled for December 5 – 6, 2025 to coincide with National Farmers’ Day Weekend, and will take place at the Palms Convention Centre, Accra.

Designed to ginger a national celebration of taste, innovation and opportunity, recognising that such an event can be a focal point for social and political advocacy, say for sustainable agriculture or food justice, PaJohn Dadson asked Mrs. Ayoade if that is what the Gastro Feastival seeks to champion. 

Groundbreaking by all accounts as it marks a significant milestone in the country’s food industry, the convenor of the Gastro Feastival says their main goal is to ignite the discourse that will transform the way, as a nation, we view, engage with and produce food.

“Ours is to highlight the vast untapped potential of the country’s food sector, ensuring that Ghana’s food industry becomes a powerhouse of economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness,” contends Mrs. Theresa Ayoade, lead convenor and CEO of events powerhouse, Charterhouse!

“Not only do we want an occasion to showcase Ghana’s rich food culture but also address critical topics such as food security, sustainability, youth employment and women’s inclusion in agribusiness. For us, the festival is more than just a celebration of food; it is a call to action,” emphasises Mrs. Ayoade, whose bold vision resonated with Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry.

Delighted at the prospect of the festival, the minister, reinforcing the government’s commitment to supporting agribusiness growth, highlights that “agribusiness is a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, employing over 60 percent of the workforce and contributing significantly to GDP, though challenges such as food security, post-harvest losses and market access persists.”

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare, thus, urges all industry stakeholders to come together to drive change, emphasising the need for innovation, collaboration and bold ideas to unlock Ghana’s full potential.

Adding a crucial dimension to the conversation, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of Kosmos Innovation Center, emphasises the vital role of women in transforming Ghana’s agribusiness landscape.

He believes strongly that the key to unlocking progress in Ghana’s food future is to empower women in agribusiness. Sharing the centre’s mission to empower women in agriculture, he lists initiatives like the ‘Empower Her’ Women’s Bootcamp, where they provide training, capacity-building programmes and access to finance, agricultural inputs, mentorship and coaching.

This commitment to equipping women with the resources and opportunities to lead in agriculture is a testament to the shift toward inclusivity that the festival embodies. From all accounts, the future of Ghana’s food sector is poised to be both “delicious and revolutionary” as demonstrated at the festival’s inaugural event.

There was great unity among industry stakeholders and many offered solidarity messages.

Maizen Abass, President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the untapped potential of women in agribusiness, emphasising the need for more access to resources, education and leadership roles. Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Mrs. Maritha Osekre-Amey, Executive Secretary of AGI, highlighted how women in food production are crucial to sustainable practices and long-term growth.

Showcasing the future, what sets the Gastro Feastival apart is its promise to create lasting impacts. With a focus on digital innovation, smart agriculture and access to finance, the festival will feature seminars, B2B and B2C engagements and exhibitions – all designed to kickstart Ghana’s journey toward food industry greatness.

A movement beyond an event

If anything was made clear on that Friday afternoon, it’s the fact that the Gastro Feastival is not just an event—it’s a movement. A movement that connects Ghana’s past, present and future, all wrapped up in the power of food. Charterhouse’s unparalleled ability to shape industries, forge partnerships and make history was evident throughout the festival.

Shaping the future of food in Ghana

As the dust settles on the inaugural Gastro Feastival, one thing is certain— the revolution is on the table, and it’s here to stay. With an eye toward a thriving, inclusive and forward-thinking food industry, Ghana is poised to become a global leader in agribusiness. As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the Gastro Feastival is not just a celebration of food; it’s a beacon of hope for a brighter, more sustainable future for all Ghanaians.

The Gastro Feastival is not just about celebrating what’s on our plates. It’s rethinking the entire journey from farm to table and positioning it as a driver of national development. Anchored by 6 thematic pillars highlighting the backbone of the food ecosystem, expressly; Sustainability, Women in agri-Business, Youth involvement, Export, Funding & innovation, these will guide the mission to build sustainable, inclusive and forward-thinking pathways for Ghana’s agribusiness and food industries.

Of course, the festival will proudly showcase Ghana’s rich culinary heritage —from iconic local dishes to cherished traditional drinks like asana, sobolo, pito, palm wine; and it will also weave in cutting-edge innovations in agriculture, food technology and sustainability.

Like the ‘Pork Show’ expo of the 1980s, The Gastro Feastival will be bursting with B2B and B2C activations, live culinary demos, inspiring exhibitions, live entertainment, food tasting experiences and thought-provoking seminars. It will be fertile ground for networking, investment and bold collaborations, bringing together farmers, green entrepreneurs, Agri-tech disruptors, food innovators and everyday consumers.

By forging powerful partnerships and elevating local voices, the festival will lay the foundation for a food industry that is vibrant, creative, globally competitive and deeply rooted in Ghanaian identity.

An event curated by Charterhouse means that we can expect The Gastro Feastival to quickly become Ghana’s leading festival of food, culture and innovation.

And entrenched on the entire food system from food production, food processing, food distribution and food consumers, celebrating Ghana’s culinary identity while accelerating sustainable growth and transformation across the entire food value chain, will ensure that The Feastival blends stakeholder fora, masterclasses, product showcases, culinary experiences and roadshow activities seamlessly.

With an aim to enhance food security, promote agro-innovation and position Ghanaian food products for global competitiveness, The Gastro Feastival sets the bar high for food festivals worldwide, uniting stakeholders, empowering women and highlighting the potential of digital innovation, paving the way for a revolution in Ghana’s food industry.

As has been demonstrated time and again, Charterhouse’s innovative approach will ignite a spark that will continue to inspire and drive change in the years to come. As we look to the future, one thing is that is certain is that the Gastro Feastival is here to stay, and it’s changing the game for Ghana’s food sector.

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