The Blackstar Experience, government’s flagship programme for Ghana’s tourism, culture and creative arts industries, has been launched.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in front of the Freedom and Justice Monument at the Blackstar Square in Accra.
The programme was attended by government officials, dignitaries from the orange economy and stakeholders from the tourism, arts and culture space.
Addressing the audience at the launch, the Coordinator of the Blackstar Experience, Rex Owusu Marfo noted that the Blackstar Experience will be more than just a project, but rather a movement, a re-awakening of the national pride and an invitation to the world to experience the soul of Ghana.
Rex Omar further highlighted that the Blackstar Experience will be thrive on seven pillars namely; cinema, audio, cuisines, aesthetics, style, literature and heritage to increase and grow Ghana’s share of the global creative culture economy.
He said that the overarching vision of the Blackstar Experience Secretariat will be to align Ghana’s brand reputation with 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.
The veteran musician further disclosed 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 a preferred destination for global travelers, and transform Ghana into Africa’s cultural capital.
He added that the Black Star Experience will amplify already existing projects that supports our way of life and promote our culture and create new projects to suit the objectives of the Experience.
As part of the events earmarked for the Blackstar Experience, Rex Owusu Marfo indicated there will be collaborations with international organisations to celebrate Blackstar Week every year.
“This is an opportunity to showcase Ghanaian talents, creative products, and to take advantage of partaking in investments, expos and meetings that exist,” he said.
He stated that there will also be exhibition football matches between legends of an international football clubs and legends of national football team, the establishment of a multi-million dollar film studio called Ananse Studio, Ghana Music Week celebration, annual stakeholder meeting dubbed Creative Connect and Detty December.
While assuring the Blackstar Experience of her maximum dedication, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie mentioned 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.
President Mahama reiterated his government unwavering commitment to invest significantly into the tourism space and the creative economy.
The President noted that government will provide critical support to creative industry practitioners and promote Ghana on digital and physical platforms.
He assured stakeholders in the tourism sector of his government’s readiness to collaborate with each other to promote the sector.
