President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, May 1, 2025, launched the Blackstar Experience.
The initiative, the new government’s programme for Ghana’s tourism, culture and creative arts industries, has been launched.
The ceremony was held in front of the Freedom and Justice Monument at the Black Star Square in Accra.
The programme was attended by government officials, dignitaries from the orange economy and stakeholders from the tourism, arts and culture space.
The Black Star Experience’ is the government’s flagship culture, arts, and tourism brand to redefine and affirm the Ghanaian identity, attract investments, create new jobs, and increase tourism.
It will undertake a year-round celebration in all the major entertainment, artistic, and educational disciplines.
Speaking at the launch, President John Dramani Mahama pledged his support for the initiative.
He reiterated his commitment to supporting the tourism, arts and culture sectors and pledged to position it on a higher pedestal.
The Coordinator of the Blackstar Experience, Rex Owusu Marfo, explained that the Blackstar Experience was more than just a project.
He described it as a movement, a reawakening of the national pride and an invitation to the world to experience the soul of Ghana.
The veteran musician asserted that Ghana had long been celebrated for its hospitality, history and dynamic cultural expressions: from the rhythmic beat of its music to the captivating stories of its ancestors, from the bustling markets to the serene landscape, indicating that these are things Ghana could offer to the world.
He assured Ghanaians that the Blackstar Experience will be hinged on seven pillars: cinema, audio, cuisines, aesthetics, style, literature and heritage.
He added that the overarching vision of the Blackstar Experience Secretariat will be to align Ghana’s brand reputation with the 20 most esteemed countries or country brands worldwide.
“It means we are going to rebrand Ghana to align with the world’s 20 successful countries when it comes to tourism,” he explained.
He revealed that the Secretariat will incorporate the Blackstar Experience framework into all facets of the nation’s initiatives across multiple sectors, elevate Ghana’s image as a preeminent and preferred destination for global travellers, and transform Ghana into Africa’s cultural capital.
He further disclosed that there will be collaborations with international organisations and groups like one in Atlanta which celebrates Blackstar Week every year.
“This is an opportunity to showcase Ghanaian talents and creative products and to take advantage of partaking in investments, expos and meetings that exist,” he said.
According to him, there will also be exhibition football matches between legends of international football clubs and legends of national football teams, the establishment of a multi-million dollar film studio called Ananse Studio, the Ghana Music Week celebration, the annual stakeholder meeting dubbed Creative Connect and Detty December.
On her part, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, opined that the creative economy would do wonders if it was given a much bigger share of the national cake.
“Usually, we are at the bottom of the pile when the money is being shared. Bring us in the middle and see the magic we will bring to you,’ she said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
