Why We Started Gaderin and What It Means to Gather Differently

Gaderin started with a simple question: Why is it so hard to find fun, meaningful things to do especially in a city as vibrant as Accra? We’d hear it all the time from friends and strangers alike: “I want to try something new,” “I’m tired of the same old places,” or “I didn’t even know that was happening”or “I didn’t know you could do this in Ghana”. And often, finding these things meant endlessly scrolling social media. Whether it was a hidden dinner experience, a creative workshop, or a wellness hike the events were there. But they were hard to find, and even harder to trust. At the same time, we saw the other side of the equation: the hosts. Talented, passionate individuals creating experiences from scratch: teaching people to cook, to dance, to paint, to explore their city. But too often, they lacked visibility, tools, or community support. They were putting in the work, but struggling to get bookings or grow. So we built Gaderin; a platform that connects people to curated experiences, and helps local hosts shine. But more than that, Gaderin is a mindset. A belief that gathering intentionally, joyfully, and creatively is one of the most powerful things we can do.

To gather differently is to redefine what “going out” means.

For many people, leisure has been reduced to “drinks or dinner.” That’s fine but it shouldn’t be the default. We believe that quality time should be diverse, affordable, and full of life. It should include making candles with your partner, going on a weekend nature trail with friends, trying salsa for the first time, or joining a table of strangers over good food and better conversation. Gathering differently means rediscovering joy in the ordinary and the unexpected. It means making space for hobbies, curiosity, creativity, and connection. It means choosing experiences over escape.

We built Gaderin for moments that matter.

We believe the value of life is in the experiences we make — the moments we get to gather with family, friends, coworkers, or even complete strangers. Moments of learning, laughter, healing, growth. That’s what we want to make easier. Whether you're looking for something spontaneous to do this weekend or planning a team bonding activity for your company, Gaderin helps you show up, try something new, and feel part of something. It’s also why we’ve introduced initiatives like In-Gaderin, spotlighting our amazing hosts and the stories behind their experiences, and Gaderin 2 Try Things, where we actually go out and try these activities ourselves, sharing honest reviews and creating content that reflects our love for gathering.

This is just the beginning.

Our dream is to build a culture where people gather more and gather differently. A culture where creativity and connection are valued, and where local talent has the tools to thrive. Whether you’re an adventurer or a homebody, a host or a guest, there’s space for you in Gaderin. We’re so glad you’re here. —

The Gaderin Team