The Black Star Experience, government’s new flagship initiative on culture and tourism, which seeks to delve deep into the nation’s identity, resilience, psyche, has finally been launched, ushering in the much touted “golden age of culture”.
Against the backdrop of the Independence Arch – aka Black Star Gate – the President, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, stood and made a proclamation. “Today marks a historic moment in our nation’s journey. We boldly step into a future where our culture, arts and tourism do not just tell our story, but sell our story to the world. The Black Star Experience is more than a project, it is a movement to reclaim our identity, celebrate our heritage and unlock the boundless potential of our tourism, culture and creative economy.”
PaJohn Bentsifi Dadson was at the unveiling ceremony to witness the historic moment.
“Ghana is not just a country; we are a legacy,” declared President Mahama. “Yet, for too long, we have under-invested in the very sectors that define us. The Black Star Experience changes that.”
Washed in fluorescents of green, red and yellow floods, the balmy air of the night engulfed everyone seated in the garden, rapt in eager anticipation for the pronouncements of their President on the sector of the economy they all hold dear; musicians, artists, dancers, designers, chefs, creatives!
In the front row, Hon. Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and Rex Omar, exceptional musician and now, superintendent of the Black Star Experience, sat – beaming with determination. Behind them many other dignitaries and guests.
Earlier, the two had presented speeches and the stage had also produced a thrilling line up of performances, from fashion catwalk to other theatrical reenactments, slices of the various facets of our creative industries.
There was great excitement in the air. In the three months since coming into office, many are those who have sought a clearer appreciation of the much touted Black Star Experience, whose mission – it was speculated – sought to rebrand Ghana globally by leveraging its cultural capital to drive economic growth, job creation and foreign investment.
The President pronounced it. The Tourism Minister buttressed it and Rex Omar outlined it. The Black Star Experience, unlike traditional festivals or campaign, is envisioned as a 365-day celebration of Ghanaian creativity, with events to span the entire year and extend across all regions – from the Chale Wote Festival in Accra’s Jamestown to the Hogbetsotso Festival in the Volta Region and Fetu Afahye in Cape Coast.
The initiative will actively promote lesser-known gems of Ghanaian culture such as Kente weaving in Bonwire, storytelling traditions in the northern regions and the evolving cinematic output of ‘Kumawood’ and ‘Ghallywood’.
“We will partner with global icons, investors and cultural institutions to elevate Ghana’s soft power,” President Mahama added. “Imagine international artistes recording albums in our studios, Hollywood filming blockbusters in our castles and tourists not just visiting but immersing in our way of life.”
Rooted in Ghana’s rich and diverse history, from the ancient Ashanti and Dagbon empires to the pioneering Pan-African legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, the initiative promises to reintroduce Ghana as a premier global destination for cultural tourism and creativity.
Named after the iconic black star on the Ghanaian flag, it is a celebration set to bridge the legacy of independence and Pan-Africanism with modern trends in art, music and technology.
The Black Star Experience, in essence, is set to showcase Ghana more intentionally on the global stage in an effort to captivate visitors with our nation’s rich history, vibrant culture and renowned hospitality.
In his first State Of the Nation Address (SONA) of his second term last February, not only did the President hint on the importance of the initiative, but also stated: “Our flagship initiative, the Black Star Experience, aims to establish Ghana as the gateway to Africa for the global diaspora, featuring thoughtfully curated cultural, historical and creative arts experiences in collaboration with the private sector, diplomatic missions, ministries, departments and agencies.
“It is government’s aim to position the BSExperience as a uniquely Ghanaian tourism brand.”
In line with this vision, therefore, an all-year round set of events and activities will make up the experience, with a monthly thematic calendar of events to celebrate every facet of Ghanaian identity, from its storied past to its promising future. Each month will be dedicated to a unique aspect of our nation’s culture, history and innovation to celebrate!
Whether you are exploring the legacy of independence in March, experiencing the rhythmic pulse of Afrobeat and Highlife in April, or engaging in forward-thinking discussions on business and innovation in October, these themes promise a year-long celebration of heritage, creativity and progress that inspires pride and unity for generations to come.
Monthly themes
January – New Year, New Africa
Celebrating renewal, visionary Pan-African dialogue inspired by leaders like Kwame Nkrumah will lead with art exhibitions, lectures and interactive workshops, inviting participants to envision a unified, innovative Africa.
February – Black History & Heritage Month
Highlighting the legacy of the African diaspora immersions at out historical sites at Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, along with storytelling sessions and cultural performances, will offer insights into both the challenges of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the resilience that endures.
March – Ghana’s Independence & Nation Building
Commemorating March 6, this is Pride Month with public events celebrating the spirit of our self-determination.
April – Afrobeat & Highlife Music Festival
Music takes centre-stage. Vibrant concerts, live performances and masterclasses will blend traditional Highlife with modern Afrobeat, showcasing Ghana’s unique contribution to global music.
May – African Royalty & Chieftaincy Month
In honour of Ghana’s regal traditions, we’ll celebrate our traditional governance and chieftaincy systems with durbar, immersive storytelling sessions and cultural workshops to provide insights into the ceremonial grandeur of heroes and forebears such as Yaa Asantewaa, etc.
June – Return & Reconnection
Building on the momentum of the ‘Year of Return’, we will continue our dedication to reconnection with immersive heritage tours, interactive dialogues and family reunions, inviting the African diaspora to trace their roots and reinforce global bonds.
July – Freedom & Justice: Legal and Political Heritage
Spotlighting Ghana’s journey toward democracy and justice, visits to key institutions, expert panels on governance, discussions and theatrical presentations on the rule of law will highlight the nation’s commitment to freedom and political stability.
August – Afro-Fashion & Textile Innovation
Time to celebrate the creativity of Ghana’s fashion industry with runway shows, traditional weaving workshops and fora on sustainable textile practices that underscore the evolution of iconic materials like kente cloth, blending heritage with contemporary design innovation.
September – Spirituality & Traditional Beliefs
We explore Ghana’s diverse spiritual landscape. Pilgrimages to sacred sites, interfaith dialogues and reflective workshops will provide insights into indigenous belief systems and their ongoing role in shaping community life.
October – Business & Innovation for Africa’s Future
Ghana’s entrepreneurial spirit gets a boost. Investment fora, innovation showcases and leadership workshops will bring together entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders to explore transformative ideas in technology, agriculture and creative industries.
November – Culinary & Food Festival
Ghana’s gastronomic heritage featuring food fairs and cooking demonstrations will showcase traditional dishes while delving into the cultural narratives and sustainable practices behind each flavour.
December – Year of Return & Cultural Renaissance
The ‘Year of Return’ ethos will close the year with grand festivals in music, art, theatre and historical tours—in collaboration with initiatives like Afrochella and various globally celebrated artists—will underscore the power of cultural tourism in preserving Ghana’s heritage and inspiring future community projects.
President Mahama called on all stakeholders—artists, entrepreneurs, investors, diaspora communities and international partners—to take part in what he described as a collective mission.
“To our musicians, filmmakers, fashion designers, chefs and storytellers—this is your time,” he declared. “To investors, Ghana is open for business. To the world, come and experience the magic of The Black Star.
The post The Black Star Experience: Investing in our defining identity through culture appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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