The term ‘Detty December’ is destroying our country’s reputation – Speaker Bagbin opines

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has issued a strong warning against the growing popularity of “Detty December,” a phrase commonly used to describe Ghana’s festive end-of-year party season that draws thousands of tourists annually.

Speaking during a traditional durbar held at the forecourt of Job 600 to mark Labour Day on May 1, 2025, Bagbin expressed deep concern over the image the term projects internationally.

He recalled a recent encounter in the United States where a young woman told him she was planning to visit Ghana specifically for “Detty December.”

“She said she was coming to attend Detty December. I said, ‘I’ve never heard of Detty December. What is Detty December?

“I was told it’s when people come into Ghana from all over the world, do whatever they want for free, and then go back. This is destroying our country,” he said.

The Speaker linked the concept of “Detty December” to the increasing use of substances such as Tramadol and a newer drug referred to as ‘Red.’

“No wonder ‘Red’ is now in Ghana. As leaders, we have not yet accepted Tramadol, and now they want us to accept Red. This is what is happening, and it’s destroying our country. We must all stand up and fight it,” he urged

.

He further expressed his disappointment over how positive cultural initiatives like the ‘Year of Return’ and ‘Beyond the Return’ are, in his view, being overshadowed by activities that erode Ghana’s moral and spiritual fabric.

“We cannot move from ‘Homecoming’ to ‘Year of Return’ and then desecrate this holy country with ‘Detty December.’ We must all stand up and fight it,” he emphasised.

Concluding his remarks, the Speaker issued a firm warning: “I’m giving notice. We’ll take this one up again and fight it to make sure Ghana remains the holy land that the Lord made for us.”

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