Chris Koney’s column: After “December In GH”, comes the 2026 Season!

In recent times, Ghana followed by its neighbor, Nigeria, have become the places of choice at the end of every year. During the period, Accra and Abuja host some of the biggest parties, music concerts and other forms of gatherings the continent can boast off with thousands of audiences from around the world.

In addition to the whirlwind of concerts and festivals are weddings, art shows, dress-ups, meet-ups and travel. This had been termed “December In Gh”, a festive period stretching from mid-December to mid- January of the New Year. Diaspora Africans, Americans and people from the Caribbean join locals in letting loose and indulging in some fun and revelry.

The government has recognized the economic potential of “December In GH”, and has strategically supported private sector players to brand the initiative leveraging on cultural tourism for substantial commercial gain. This includes measures like visa–on –arrival in December to encourage visitors.

After all the fun and excitement, we are ushered in the New Year. To start the New Year right, it becomes important to reflect on the milestones, successes and failures of the past year. In doing that, we ought to set clear, focused and realistic goals accompanied by an action plan with manageable habits.

It must definitely not just resolutions, but also decluttering your space and mind for a fresh and intentional start. In addition, there must be a focus on consistency, self-kindness, and building supportive systems rather than aiming for perfection, as the best approach is personalized. Below are some tips to assist in starting the New Year on the right foot;

Think About Your Short, Medium and Long-Term Goals.

Even better than making resolutions is setting concrete goals for yourself. Flesh out an action plan to follow throughout the year so you can see what your focus should be as you achieve these goals. In addition, having smaller, medium, and long-term goals written down will help you to see how far you have come during the year.

Break A Big Goal Into Micro-Steps

Identify your goals and establish tiny habits in support of those goals. As most of us know, New Year’s resolutions rarely work. Tiny habits break down big tasks into accomplishable tidbits that fit easily into your busy life. Throw out the long “to-do” lists and the 20-step programs. Focus on breaking down your goal into micro-steps and ask yourself, “What tiny habits will support my goal?

Perform A SWOT Self-Analysis 

Block out a day now—in either December or that very first week in January—to perform a SWOT analysis on yourself both personally and professionally. SWOT looks at your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Pick out one or two areas that speak to you, and make a list of steps you will need to take to meet each goal. Be sure to schedule action items going forward to ensure real change.

Reconnect With People In Your Network.

The holidays and the New Year are a great excuse to reach out to professional and personal contacts. Give them an idea of what you are up to and see how everything is going for them – with your new and revived contacts in place, it will put you in a good position throughout the year to get professional and personal advice and support when needed.

Focus On Behavior, Not Results

As you gear up for your New Year, you probably have an idea of what you want to achieve by the end of December. As you pursue your goals, it is important to maintain focus on behaviors, what you are doing, not the results you are getting. The results will come if you stay focused and stay patient. If you focus on improving your behaviors, the visible or tangible results will come later.

Give Yourself Some Regular “Me Time.”

Set aside some time for self-care, whether it is once a week or once a month. The only criteria is that you are treating yourself and you are doing it alone so you can focus on yourself. It is a great time to recharge and help you gain internal focus.

Daydream About Your Future.

Apart from your goals, aspirations and resolutions, take some time to dream. Let yourself fantasize about your life, your career, and your travels. It is important to have the time to dream big. You never know what ideas, passions and new goals may awaken when you let your mind dream without critical thought.

Think About What You Learned Last Year

Spend some time looking back and considering what you did and did not achieve and why. Think about how you will incorporate that knowledge and insight into the year ahead of you. Learning from experience is the best way to improve your skills!

Prioritize Self-Care and Development

Goal setting is important, but prioritizing your self-care and development comes first, as this lays the foundation for achieving your goals. Spend time reflecting and writing down the tools and resources, you need to support you. Also, identify what you need to release in your life that does not serve you and is not aligned with your values and the strategies that empower your growth.

Set One ‘Impossible’ Goal

Create “fail on purpose” plans, supporting one “impossible” goal. Crazy, right? Think about any great thing that has been done, whether large or small. It began by dreaming the impossible, followed by a series of failed attempts. Building a business, learning to ride a bike and putting men on the moon are examples of reaching “impossible” goals by failing. Failure is the path to all learning and growth.

Story by Chris Koney

Chris is a seasoned Integrated Marketing Communications Professional and International Cooperation Specialist with a vast working experience across several sectors; Media and Broadcasting, Public Relations, Telecommunications, International Cooperation and Investor Relations.

Over the last decade, he has successfully managed relationships with Diplomatic Missions, International Finance Institutions, and Development Finance Institutions, played leading role in fundraising and assisted businesses to navigate the complexities of International Trade.  He can be reached at [email protected] / 233 20 854 1480.

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