News
Black Star Experience is not same as Year of Return
Ghana’s tourism and creative economy continue to experience renewed growth as government strengthens efforts to position the country as Africa’s leading cultural and heritage destination.
While many still associate Ghana’s global tourism success
with the landmark Year of Return campaign of 2019, it is important to understand that the country has since moved into a new phase of sector growth under the Black Star Experience, a broader and forward-looking national programme being
advanced under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
Over the past year, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its agencies have intensified efforts to grow the sector positively, creating renewed momentum across tourism, arts, and the creative industries.
These efforts form part of the Mahama administration’s wider commitment to reposition tourism and
culture as key drivers of economic growth, job creation, and global engagement.
Under President Mahama’s leadership, tourism and the creative arts have regained prominence as strategic pillars for national development.
Government’s renewed focus has provided stronger coordination across agencies, boosted stakeholder
confidence, and created fresh opportunities for creatives, event promoters, tourism operators, and investors within the sector.
At the ministerial level, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has been working to strengthen Ghana’s cultural ecosystem and tourism value chain through the various agencies under the ministry.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ghana’s primary tourism marketing agency, has also continued to record notable progress in destination promotion and stakeholder
engagement.
Under the leadership of Mrs. Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo Houadjeto, the
Authority has sustained campaigns and partnerships that keep Ghana visible in competitive tourism markets while supporting industry players to raise service and product standards.
Understanding the difference between Ghana’s flagship tourism initiatives is
therefore important. The Year of Return was a commemorative campaign marking 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were taken to the Americas.
It invited the African diaspora, particularly African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans, to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.
The initiative resonated globally, drawing record visitor arrivals and creating powerful emotional and economic connections.
The Black Star Experience, however, represents a more expansive and sustainable national agenda. Rather than being tied to a single commemorative year, it is
structured as a long-term programme designed to position Ghana as the Cultural Capital of Africa, offering year-round cultural, entertainment, heritage, and creative experiences.
While the Year of Return focused on historical reconnection, the Black Star
Experience looks ahead, promoting Ghana’s living culture, contemporary creative industries, festivals, music, film, cuisine, fashion, and lifestyle experiences to both global and continental audiences.
A key strength of the current approach under the Mahama administration is the emphasis on sustainability and inclusiveness.
The Black Star Experience aims to
ensure that tourism benefits extend beyond Accra to communities and heritage destinations nationwide, creating jobs and economic opportunities across regions.
In essence, the Year of Return reopened the door between Ghana and the global African diaspora.
The Black Star Experience now expands that journey, inviting the
world not only to return, but to continually experience Ghana’s culture, creativity, and hospitality.
As Ghana builds on the progress made over recent years, the renewed energy and direction under President John Dramani Mahama signal a promising chapter for tourism and the creative economy, one that seeks to transform Ghana from a moment of global attention into a permanent destination of cultural excellence, investment opportunity, and shared prosperity.
Edward Boafo Owusu
Programs Lead,
Black Star Experience Secretariat
The Ghana Police Service has launched a manhunt for a suspect in connection with the disappearance of a 27 year old man at Oyibi.
In a press release dated April 14, 2026, the Police identified the suspect as Wisdom Tetteh and said he is being sought over the disappearance of Theophilus Ashitey Amarh.
According to the Police, the case was reported on April 7, 2026, after the victim failed to return home.
He had left the previous day with the intention of selling his Hyundai Elantra saloon car after being introduced to a prospective buyer by the suspect.
Investigations revealed that the victim was last seen at the suspect’s residence at Saasabi, where he had gone to meet the supposed buyer.
The Police noted that a follow up visit to the suspect’s residence on April 10 led to the discovery of suspected bloodstains in a room, raising concerns of possible foul play.
The scene has since been examined by the National Crime Scene Management Team with support from the Anti Armed Robbery Unit of the CID Headquarters.
The Police added that search efforts involving community members and local authorities have been carried out in the area, but the victim is yet to be found.
Further intelligence suggests that the suspect may have fled the country to neighbouring Togo.
The Police indicated that steps, including INTERPOL processes, have been initiated to track and arrest him.
The Command assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to arrest the suspect and uncover what happened.
It also urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect or the missing person to report to the nearest police station to assist investigations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
A team member of the Kwahu Business Forum and special aide to the Chief of staff, Benjamin Essuman has revealed that the team is working on developing the forum into a major platform to support business growth and policy dialogue in Ghana.
According to him, efforts are underway to transform the Kwahu Business Village into an International Conference Hub that will attract businesses and investors from across the world.
He made the remarks during an interview with ghanaiantimes.com.gh journalist, Jacob Aggrey in Accra.
He said the forum was designed to bring together regulators, policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors to share ideas and help shape policies that support business development.
According to him, the concept began in 2024 when John Dramani Mahama and his Chief of Staff conceived the idea during the Easter period in Kwahu, where many entrepreneurs gather annually.
He said the first edition created a platform for business people to engage leadership directly and present their concerns.
According to him, the success of the maiden event led to the decision to make it an annual forum.
He said the second edition in 2025 focused on improving access to finance by bringing banks and financial institutions to interact with businesses.
He said institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank participated and engaged entrepreneurs on funding opportunities.
According to him, the forum has now gone beyond dialogue and has become a platform for partnerships, negotiations and investment deals.
He said some entrepreneurs who participated in previous editions have secured support from financial institutions, with their projects progressing steadily.
According to him, the presence of the President at the forum continues to boost confidence among businesses and deepen engagement.
He said the 2026 edition was larger than the previous ones and was held at the newly developed Kwahu Business Village.
According to him, traditional authorities in Kwahu donated about 150 acres of land to support the development of a permanent business conference centre.
He said the forum is attracting both local and international companies, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration.
According to him, the initiative also promotes tourism activities such as paragliding in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority.
He said the forum will continue to be held in Kwahu and is being positioned as Ghana’s version of the World Economic Forum.
Mr.Easuman further challenges such as overcrowding in previous editions have been addressed through the introduction of a digital registration system.
He said small scale businesses must take advantage of opportunities such as partnerships, mergers and government incentives to expand.
According to him, entrepreneurs should also collaborate with institutions like the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority to access international markets.
He said the long term vision includes developing the Kwahu Business Village into a world class facility capable of hosting global conferences, with possible plans to construct an airstrip.
According to him, the forum remains an important platform for businesses seeking growth, funding and expansion beyond Ghana.
Background
The Kwahu Business Forum was introduced in 2024 as an initiative to bring together business leaders and government officials during the Easter festivities in Kwahu.
It was conceived as a platform for dialogue but has since evolved into an annual event focused on promoting investment, networking and policy engagement to strengthen Ghana’s business environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
