Detty December, a popular term for Ghana and Nigeria's end-of-year party season, can have negative connotations, Ghana's official for diaspora affairs has said, adding that he does not want the label linked with his country.
On a personal level I don't want the word 'detty' to be associated with anything Ghana... that's something I'm not very comfortable with, Kofi Okyere-Darko said.
Detty, West African Pidgin for dirty, is used to express unrestricted fun when it comes to seeing the year out.
The celebrations are thought to be a huge boost to Ghana's economy. Last December more than 125,000 international visitors, many of whom were diasporans, flocked to Ghana.
It was a notable increase from the number of people arriving during any other month - and the same can be said for the three years before that.
Government branding avoids the term Detty December instead choosing to push a tourism initiative named December in Ghana, a decision made by Mr. Okyere-Darko, who oversees his country's relationship with its sizeable diaspora.
The young people somehow prefer 'Detty December', but officially, that's not the name, he said.
I don't think December is what attracts people to Ghana. People started coming to Ghana a long time ago. I remember December in Ghana at the turn of the millennium, with initiatives like Akwaaba UK.
Suggestions have emerged for rebranding the festive period to appeal to younger audiences, such as shortening 'December in Ghana' to the initials 'D.I.G.. Let's dig it!'
The phrase Detty December gained popularity roughly eight years ago, after Nigerian musician Mr Eazi launched his Detty Rave festival in Accra.
This December, multiple festivals, parties, and concerts have Accra bustling with tourists and diasporans from the US and Europe, many of whom enjoy socializing throughout the week.
Prominent artists, including Busta Rhymes and Giggs, are part of the vibrant festive program alongside local stars like Samini and Reggie Rockstone.
Despite local complaints of price gouging and overcrowding during this influx, the government views the heightened interest in December as a driver for investments and tourism.
Ghana's push to promote itself as a destination for diasporans began in earnest with the 2019 Year of Return initiative, encouraging those with African roots to visit and invest.
This year has demonstrated that the December experience in Ghana is evolving beyond just partying, now incorporating a calendar filled with investment seminars and cultural showcases aimed at the diaspora.
