Ruger arrives in Ghana ahead of Odwira Festival performance

Nigerian Afrobeats musician Ruger has arrived in Ghana ahead of his scheduled performance as part of the 2026 Odwira Festival celebrations in Akropong in the Eastern Region.

The singer touched down in Ghana on Friday, September 25, where he received a colourful traditional welcome featuring dancers and other cultural displays.

His arrival was marked by an Adowa dance performance, while he was also presented with a bouquet and ceremonial sash as part of the reception.

The welcome has attracted attention on social media, particularly because of the cultural setting surrounding his visit as the Akuapem traditional area celebrates a major milestone in the history of the Odwira Festival.

Ruger is expected to perform at Superb Lounge in Akropong, adding a contemporary Afrobeats touch to this year’s celebrations.

The 2026 edition of the Odwira Festival is especially significant as it marks the 200th anniversary of the festival. The celebrations, which began on September 21 and run through October 2, include traditional rites, cultural activities, durbars and entertainment programmes across Akuapem.

Friday, September 25, is also scheduled for the Okuapeman Odwira @200 Grand Durbar in Akropong, alongside other activities including Children’s Day and health-screening exercises.

Ruger’s participation therefore comes at a time when Akuapem is using the anniversary celebrations to showcase its history, customs and cultural heritage while also creating space for contemporary entertainment.

The Nigerian musician, born Michael Adebayo Olayinka, has established himself as one of the prominent names in the Afrobeats scene, with songs such as “Bounce,” “Dior” and “Asiwaju” contributing to his popularity across Africa.

His music has also earned him a strong following among Ghanaian music fans, making his inclusion in the Odwira entertainment programme a major attraction for young audiences.

Beyond the Akropong performance, Ruger is also scheduled to appear in Accra on Sunday, September 27, 2026, giving his Ghanaian fans another opportunity to see him perform.

His arrival has added further excitement to the ongoing Odwira @200 celebrations, with attention now turning to his highly anticipated performance in Akropong.