December in Ghana has evolved into a global brand: Detty December, Diaspora December — a season sold as music, culture, freedom, and unforgettable nights. The world is watching, and the hype has never been louder.
But after attending several events this festive season, one uncomfortable truth stood out: beneath the excitement, we are quietly normalising exploitation, paying more for less, and accepting dangerously poor security — all packaged as “vibes.”
Late Starts Are Not Culture — They’re Disrespect
An event advertised for 8 PM that doesn’t start until 2 am is not African timing. It’s not funny. It’s not a flex. It’s disrespect. People show up on time because that’s what they were told — yet many stand for six to eight hours with no updates, no apologies, and no seating.
At Kweku Smoke’s Revival Concert, I saw tired bodies, sore legs, and growing frustration met with silence from organisers. Why are we so comfortable wasting people’s time and energy? Artistes like Kojo-Cue and AraTheJay start on time and end on time — why can’t others do the same?
Price Gouging Disguised as “December Premium”
Imagine this: after standing for hours, you need water. A bottle that costs ₵5 normally is being sold for ₵25. Not cocktails. Not champagne. Water.
This stops being business; it’s exploitation. People are dehydrated, exhausted, and trapped in venues where basic necessities are priced like luxury items — after already paying for entry. So, who is December really for?
Smoking in Crowds: Freedom or Recklessness?
At Black Sherif’s Zaamadisco and Kweku Smoke’s Revival Concert at GhudPark, people openly smoked weed in tightly packed crowds. No control. No intervention. And how did they even bring these substances past security?
Let’s be honest: what if someone in that crowd has asthma or another respiratory condition? Concerts are public spaces, not private hangouts. Freedom shouldn’t come at someone else’s expense.
Security at Events Is a Joke
Some outdoor events had fewer than 20 security personnel managing thousands. That’s decoration, not protection. What happens if a fight breaks out, a stampede occurs, or someone collapses? How many events provide first aid? Organisers charge high fees but deliver minimal safety. Ghana shouldn’t wait for a tragedy to take this seriously.
When Bloggers Become the Main Act
At Kweku Smoke’s Revival Concert, and even at Black Sherif’s Zaama Disco, bloggers dominated the crowd, invading VIP areas and blurring boundaries. People who paid for general access ended up where they shouldn’t. This isn’t organic crowd movement — it’s poor crowd control. If VIP means nothing, what are people paying for?
No Feedback, No Accountability
After the last song, the lights go off, and that’s it. Patrons complain online, promoters dismiss concerns as “noise,” and the same mistakes repeat at the next event. How can events improve if the audience is never truly heard?
December Brings Money — But at What Cost?
Yes, December in Ghana has done amazing things:
But growth without structure becomes greed, and hype without standards eventually collapses. Are we building a sustainable cultural movement, or just cashing out while the world watches?
If December continues this way, it may attract tourists and the diaspora — but it risks alienating the locals who built it. And when the hype fades, vibes alone won’t save it.