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Maiden Black Star Fashion Week to highlight Ghana’s National Fashion Platform
Ghana is set to take centre stage in fashion, culture and the creative economy as the maiden Black Star Fashion Week (BSFW) takes off with a two-day national fashion experience designed to discover talent, convene the industry and showcase Ghanaian fashion on a global stage.
Put together by the Presidency-backed Black Star Experience Secretariat led by Rex Owusu Marfo, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its agencies such as the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Creative Arts Agency, it is structured across two connected experiences in Accra and Senchi.
The Black Star Fashion Week will move from inteligent industry dialogue and talent discovery to an exciting fashion celebration.
The first day will take place in Accra on November 4 and will centre on the Black Star Fashion Summit.
The Summit will bring together designers, fashion entrepreneurs, creatives, industry leaders, investors, buyers, manufacturers, policymakers, media and other stakeholders for a day of conversations, knowledge exchange, networking and talent development.
The Accra experience will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside conversations, masterclasses, industry presentations and practical workshops covering areas relevant to the growth of Ghana’s fashion industry, including entrepreneurship, branding, digital marketing, textile innovation, manufacturing, fashion finance, export readiness, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, sustainability and intellectual property.
A major component of Day One will be the 16-Region Designer Programme, bringing emerging fashion talent from across the country into one national platform.
Each participating designer will present a creative interpretation of their region, reflecting its identity, culture, heritage, materials, craftsmanship and contemporary design language.
The Accra programme will culminate in the selection of five designers. Out of the five, one will advance to the flagship fashion show at Senchi.
The second day will move to Royal Senchi on November 7, where the Black Star Fashion Show and experience will take place.
Beyond the runway, Senchi will host a Fashion Village, bringing together designer showcases, retail, textiles, artisan experiences, brand activations, beauty, technology, food and beverage, tourism and lifestyle experiences.
The event will also celebrate Ghana’s cultural diversity through music, dance, textiles, craft, food, storytelling, heritage and visual arts, demonstrating the deep connection between fashion and Ghana’s wider cultural ecosystem.
Honours will go out to outstanding contributors to Ghana’s fashion ecosystem, while networking and business engagements will connect designers and creative businesses with buyers, investors, manufacturers, retailers and other industry stakeholders.
Black Star Experience (BSE) is a Government of Ghana inititive for Culture, Arts, Tourism and Creative engagement.
As a national, year-round platform, the Black Star Experience brings together Ghana’s cultural, artistic, tourism and creative offerings to strengthen Ghana’s identity, promote the country as a preferred global destination and position Ghana as a leading cultural and creative capital of Africa.
Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has interdicted two staff members of Aduman Senior High School over alleged sexual misconduct against a male student.
The teachers are Mr. Isaac Yankey and Mr. Palance Kwakye.
According to GES, Management received reports of the alleged sexual misconduct involving the two staff members against the male student.
Following receipt of the report, the matter was referred to the Police for investigation. The two staff members have since been arrested by the Police in connection with the alleged incident.
In addition, Management has interdicted the two teachers pending the outcome of the investigations.
The alleged victim has also been provided with psychosocial support to safeguard his well-being.
Management has assured the public that appropriate measures will continue to be taken to ensure that all students learn in a safe environment.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ministry of Health has cautioned the public against a fraudulent fundraising campaign being aired on Ghanaian televisions, which falsely solicits money to support patients seeking surgical treatment through Mercy Ships.
Mercy Ships International, an international Christian organisation providing free surgical care and education across Africa, currently has its hospital vessel, The Global Mercy, docked at the Tema Port.
The vessel is expected to provide free surgeries to more than 2,500 Ghanaians over a 10-month period ending in June 2027.
The Ministry has clarified that patients scheduled for treatment were identified and pre-screened ahead of the vessel’s arrival through a coordinated process involving Mercy Ships and the Ministry, based on established medical and eligibility criteria.
According to them, Mercy Ships is currently operating at full capacity and is not accepting additional patients for the ongoing field service.
The Ministry emphasised that payments or registrations through third parties will not guarantee access to treatment.
The fraudulent broadcast, featuring an organisation identified as ‘HELP Save LIFE Foundation,’ solicits financial contributions through an MTN Mobile Money account.
“The Ministry wishes to state categorically that the campaign is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Mercy Ships,” the statement noted.
They reminded the public that all medical services provided by Mercy Ships are entirely free, and no patient is required to make payments, donations or mobile money transfers to access treatment.
Members of the public have therefore been advised not to make payments, share personal or financial information with individuals claiming to facilitate access to the services, or engage with similar suspicious solicitations.
The ministry encouraged the public to rely solely on official Ministry of Health and Mercy Ships communication channels for accurate information on medical services and patient access.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
