Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to transforming the creative economy through the Black Star Experience Initiative to advance the country’s economic emancipation.
The Black Star Experience Initiative in Ghana is the government’s flagship culture, arts and tourism brand aimed at positioning Ghana as Africa’s premier destination for tourism and cultural engagement.
Launched by President John Dramani Mahama in May 2025, the initiative is a year-round celebration of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, creativity, and tourism potential.
It encompasses major entertainment, artistic, and educational disciplines and seeks to restore national pride, celebrate heritage, and unlock economic opportunities in the cultural and creative sectors.
At a colourful grand durbar marking the climax of the 61st Oguaa Fetu Afahye on Saturday, she said in a speech read on her behalf by her Chief of Staff, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo that the initiative was carefully designed to promote Ghana’s cultural rebranding and economic development while showcasing Ghana’s rich artistic heritage globally.
The festival on the theme: “Innovate to Elevate,” concluded with a spectacular cultural display from the seven Asafo companies and graced by guests from around the world.
The event was filled with elegance and grandeur, featuring notable dignitaries, including the special guest of honour, Ogiame Atuwate III, the Olu of Warri and Olorin of Warri from Nigeria’s Delta region, all resplendent in traditional regalia.
This year’s festival celebrated Oguaa’s creatives and evoked memories of last year’s cultural masterpiece when the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, attended the 60th edition of the festival.
Festival honours the 17th-century Effutu Kingdom, located 19 kilometres inland, commemorating their steadfast refusal to relinquish cultural practices and their respect for forebears.
Leading up to the grand durbar at Victoria Park, chiefs and queen mothers, adorned in magnificent traditional regalia, processed with Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, through the main streets in elaborately decorated palanquins.
Also, the procession of the seven Asafo Companies, the traditional warriors of Oguaa State, traditional priests and priestesses and sub chiefs.
The Vice President highlighted that through the Creative Arts Agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the government was creating unprecedented opportunities for creatives to thrive, earn sustainable livelihoods, and represent Ghana proudly on the global stage.
She noted that tourism operators had benefited from GH¢30 million in government strategic investments through the Ghana Tourism Development Company and the Tourism Development Fund to support arts and culture stakeholders.
These initiatives focus on preserving the nation’s identity, ensuring festivals continue to attract international visitors, and providing sustainable employment for youth.
On youth empowerment, the Vice President emphasised that young people remained central to the Government’s development agenda through the Youth Employment Agency and that robust skills development programmes were in place to create pathways for training to meaningful employment.
She said the creative industries, tourism sector and cultural enterprises emerging from events like the Afahye were opening new, innovative avenues for youth employment.
Highlighting the significance of culture, she said cultural innovation does not mean abandoning tradition but finding new ways to honour and keep it relevant.
“The Fetu Afahye, with its sacred rituals, vibrant Asafo processions and colourful practices, exemplifies how cultural identity can be successfully integrated into national development,” she noted.
The Vice President added that the creative economy offered multiple development paths, including expanding cultural tourism through innovative approaches that blended traditional attractions with contemporary creativity, transforming traditional crafts into sustainable enterprises, leveraging digital platforms for global outreach and establishing creative hubs and innovation centres.
The Olu of Warri praised the vibrant culture of the people of Cape Coast, describing his visit as a valuable learning experience and expressed the hope for increased cultural exchanges among African nations.
He affirmed that living in brotherhood fostered unity, strengthened social ties, promoted peace, and encouraged collaboration for economic and social development across the continent.
Charlotte Osei, Chairperson of the Fetu Afahye Planning Committee, stated that Cape Coast was uniquely positioned to become a leading creative economy hub in West Africa.
She highlighted how the city’s rich cultural heritage, historic monuments, educational institutions and artistic traditions provided the foundation for a thriving creative economy, spanning traditional crafts, performing arts, visual arts, music, literature, film, digital media and cultural tourism.
