The Blackstar Experience will be the government’s flagship initiative aimed at establishing Ghana as the gateway to Africa for the global diaspora, President John Dramani Mahama has stated.
According to him, the programme which is captured in the 2024 manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), will feature thoughtfully curated cultural, historic and creative arts experiences, in collaboration with the private sector, diplomatic missions, ministries, departments and agencies.
He also noted that Blackstar Experience will encompass activities such as concert party competitions, film events, and street carnivals.
“The Pan African Month will be a part of the Blackstar Experience. It will include street carnivals, film week, fashion festival, food fair, theoretical and drama performances, concert party competitions, and monthly domestic tourism destinations,” President Mahama said, stressing that their aim is to position the Blackstar Experience as a uniquely Ghanaian tourism brand.
He made this statement while presenting the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on February 27, 2025.
In the meantime, Ghanaian musician and entrepreneur Rex Owusu Marfo popularly known as Rex Omar, has been appointed as the Presidential Staffer for Blackstar Experience.
In his address, President Mahama also expressed government’s commitment to developing Osu Castle into a more attractive tourist site.
“We will develop the Osu Castle, the former seat of government and the area around it as a tourist attraction. It will have a pedestrian precinct with arts and craft market, jewelry and gold markets. This approximate 22-acre land will become a destination for tourism,” he said.
President Mahama noted that Tourism, culture and creative arts remain vital cornerstones of Ghana’s national development strategy, playing a significant role in job creation, cultural exchange and economic growth.
While acknowledging that the ministry has launched transformative initiatives to position Ghana as a premiere global destination and this is positive in recent years, he also outlined other positive initiatives aimed at harnessing the country’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and its dynamic creative sector.
He further indicated that his government will strategically promote meetings, conferences and exhibitions tourism to diversify Ghana’s tourism offerings.
“Ghana’s peaceful and democratic environment positions us as an attractive hub for international summits, business conventions and high profile gatherings. We must capitalise on this unique advantage to maximise our benefits and strengthen our reputation as the country that is closest to the centre of the world,” he added.
Mahama also promised to resume work on the Marine Drive Project in Accra.
“We are also committed to revitalising the Accra Marine Drive Project, a significant urban redevelopment initiative which was designed to transform approximately 241 acres of Accra’s coastline into a vibrant tourism and economic hub. Although the cabinet approval for this vital project was achieved during my tenure in 2016, progress has stalled,” he said.
He, therefore, vouched to “reassess the work completed and take decisive action to bring all this important project back on track.”
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