Christmas in Ghana: traditions, food and what to expect

6 Ghanaian Christmas traditions

1. Church on Christmas Day: services with carols, drumming and dancing.
2. Family gatherings: relatives travel home, and houses fill with visitors.
3. The Christmas meal: jollof or rice with chicken or goat, fufu with light soup, and plenty of drinks.
4. Greetings: "Afehyia pa" is the season's greeting, wishing someone a happy festive season and new year.
5. Boxing Day outings: beaches, parks and parties on 26 December.
6. Watch night service: on 31 December, churches hold services into the new year before the parties begin.

Christmas in Accra vs the rest of Ghana

In Accra, Christmas sits in the middle of Detty December, so the city is busy with visitors and events. In smaller towns and villages, it's quieter and more family-focused. Many Ghanaians travel from Accra to their home towns for Christmas, so traffic out of the city is heavy in the days before 25 December.

Christmas words to know

What to eat at a Ghanaian Christmas

• Jollof rice with chicken.
• Fufu with light soup or groundnut soup.
• Rice balls (omo tuo) with groundnut soup.
• Kelewele and fried plantain.
• Sobolo to drink.

See what to eat in Accra.

Christmas etiquette for visitors

1. Greet everyone, starting with elders.
2. Use your right hand to give, receive and eat.
3. Bring a small gift if you're visiting a home.
4. Dress modestly for church.
5. Accept food, even just a taste.