Veteran Ghanaian highlife musician and Presidential Staffer coordinating the Black Star Experience initiative, Rex Omar, has stated that he never expected to be appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, despite earlier speculation.
It may be recalled that in February 2025, as Ghanaians awaited the release of President John Dramani Mahama’s ministerial appointments, Rex Omar, along with several other high-profile creatives, was tipped as a potential nominee for the role.
However, in an interview with Hitz FM on May 7, 2025, Omar acknowledged that while he heard the rumors about a possible ministerial appointment, he did not anticipate being selected for the position.
“I heard it, but you see, God has His own way of doing things. I wasn’t expecting to be a sector minister myself because politically it was not possible. The president’s hands are always bound by the constitution. You have to consider gender balance, parliamentary balance, regional balance, and all these things. So, I didn’t see myself becoming the sector minister,” he said.
Omar expressed satisfaction with his current role, stating, “At the same time, I felt that where God wants me to be is exactly where the president has placed me. I’m very, very grateful and appreciative of the confidence he has in me.”
He also highlighted the strong support he receives from the presidency in executing his duties and expressed his gratitude.
“This responsibility is huge, but without His own guidelines and directions, we couldn’t succeed. I thank God that the whole presidency, the Chief of Staff, the Special Advisor, everybody, is supporting us to succeed, including the president himself. So, we are very happy, and we have a very cordial relationship with the ministry, with all the state agencies, and everything,” he noted.
The Black Star Experience is a flagship initiative under President John Mahama’s administration, designed to redefine Ghanaian identity, attract investments, create jobs, and boost tourism through year-round celebrations in entertainment, arts, and education.
Omar’s appointment as coordinator of the initiative is a recognition of his decades-long contributions to Ghana’s music industry and cultural heritage.
While Dzifa Gomashie was ultimately appointed as the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Omar has publicly expressed his support for her, emphasising the importance of unity and collaboration in advancing Ghana’s creative sector.
ID/MA
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