An international boxing contest between Ghana’s Musah Rahman Lawson and Nigeria’s Raimi Isiaka will headline the official launch of the 2026 GaDangme Homowo Festival celebrations at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Friday, 31 July 2026.
The bout, scheduled to start as part of an evening programme from 18:30 GMT, has been positioned as the centrepiece of a high-profile opening ceremony expected to draw boxing fans alongside traditional leaders, government officials, diplomats and members of the public.
Lawson and Isiaka’s meeting will formally kick off a five-month schedule of events under the GaDangme Homowo Festival, with organisers hoping the cross-border clash will add international attention to the wider celebration.
Weigh-in at Gbese Mantse Palace
In the build-up to fight night, the official weigh-in and face-off between the two boxers will be held on Thursday, 30 July 2026, at 10:00 GMT at the Gbese Mantse Palace in Accra.
That event is expected to stoke anticipation among supporters and offer both fighters a final chance to assess each other at close quarters before stepping into the ring at the Bukom Boxing Arena, one of Ghana’s most recognisable boxing venues.
Festival built on unity and youth development
The launch forms part of a broader programme put together by the GaDangme Unity Organisation under the theme “Unity, Peace and Development in the GaDangme States”.
Organisers say the theme reflects their focus on strengthening social cohesion, safeguarding the cultural heritage of the GaDangme people and advancing youth empowerment through sport and tourism-related activities.
Once officially launched, the 2026 GaDangme Homowo Festival calendar will run from 7 August to 30 December 2026. Over that period, the GaDangme Youth Sports Festival, Tourism Programme and Awards will stage a series of sporting competitions, cultural showcases, tourism initiatives, entertainment events and award ceremonies designed to celebrate and promote the traditions of the GaDangme Traditional Area.
Long-running programme
The GaDangme Unity Organisation, a legally registered body, has been behind annual Homowo sporting and tourism programmes for more than 20 years.
Working in close collaboration with the Traditional Authorities of the GaDangme States, the organisation has consistently prioritised youth development while also extending support to vulnerable groups within the community, despite operating with limited financial resources.
High-profile attendance and sponsorship drive
The 2026 launch event is expected to attract a wide range of dignitaries, including members of the clergy, representatives of religious bodies, the diplomatic corps, relevant sector ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, chief executives of media organisations, traditional rulers, chiefs and residents from across the GaDangme Traditional Area.
In the build-up to the festival, the GaDangme Unity Organisation has issued an appeal to corporate bodies, development partners and individuals to assist in funding and supporting the successful staging of the 2026 Homowo Festival celebrations.
Sponsors and partners will be formally acknowledged during the programme and will be given the opportunity to present trophies, medals, certificates, prizes and other awards to outstanding participants across the sporting, cultural and tourism-related events that make up the festival.
