Ghanaian music veteran and Blackstar Experience Coordinator, Rex Omar, has responded to recent criticism of the term ‘Detty December’, clarifying that it signifies festive celebration, not chaos or misconduct.
His remarks follow concerns raised by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, who suggested the term carried negative implications.
Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM on May 6, 2025, Omar said that the word ‘Detty’ in ‘Detty December’ meant unrestrained but lawful enjoyment, not an invitation for disorder.
“He should bear with us. We are creatives, we are always creating, and we’re changing language to mean different things, so it’s not ‘Dirty’. ‘Detty December’ is ‘Detty’, it’s ‘unrestricted celebration’,” he said.
“We have laws in this country, and you can’t come here and do anything that is against the law. If you go against the law, you’ll be arrested. The fact that we are celebrating ‘Detty December’ doesn’t mean you can come here and do whatever you like.
“Whoever translated it to him that you can come to Ghana and do anything you like is mistaken. That is not what ‘Detty December’ means. It means unrestricted celebrations all over the place, come, enjoy yourself, and go,” Omar explained.
The annual ‘Detty December’ campaign promotes Ghana as a top holiday destination, featuring concerts, parties, and cultural events.
ID/KA
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