Ghana today proudly launched the inaugural Black Star Festival, an ambitious new initiative set to further deepen the nation’s connection with the African diaspora and position Ghana as a global leader in cultural innovation and investment.
The launch, held at the Accra Tourist Information Center,Accra, brought together esteemed government officials, cultural leaders, diplomatic representatives, and members of the press.
The Festival, spearheaded by GD Visionary Group in partnership with the National Commission on Culture (NCC), builds upon the impactful legacies of the “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return” initiatives. It is designed to be an annual platform fostering cultural celebrations, business opportunities, and youth engagement across continents.
Cyril Alex Gockel, Head of Marketing & PR for the Black Star Festival, articulated the vision: “The Black Star Festival is not just about tourism, but rather an initiative to expand and deepen the journey of exploration into Ghana’s culture.
Through our partnership with the National Commission of Culture, GD Visionary Group is creating an annual platform that will continue to strengthen ties across continents, ensuring cultural celebrations, business opportunities, and youth engagements remain at the heart of our growth.”
The maiden edition of the Black Star Festival is slated for September 2025 in the United States and October 2025 in Ghana.
Wakefield Akwaku, Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture, emphasised the festival’s alignment with national aspirations.
He highlighted its role in fulfilling President John Dramani Mahama’s “Black Star Experience,” a flagship program launched on May 1, 2025, inviting the world to discover Ghana’s unique identity, heritage, culture, and business acumen.
“This particular event is unique because the Festival offers you an opportunity called ‘A Touch of Gold.’ Ghana is the Gold Coast, and so Black Star Festival gives you the opportunity to have a Touch of Gold,” stated Akwaku, reinforcing Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
The festival promises culturally relevant and dynamic showcases in music, fashion, visual arts, theater, and business activations.
Notably, the U.S. leg in September will feature a vibrant Street Festival, a comprehensive exhibition of Ghanaian culinary and visual arts, and a grand gala.
In a significant move to promote Ghana’s artistic talent, the festival will feature headline artists such as Serge Atukui (globally recognized artist), Love (Lohi Lifestyle), Betty Agua (renowned woman artist), and the curator of the Chinchip Gallery.
These artists will lead “the biggest gallery that Ghana has ever mounted,” showcasing Ghana’s “special gold” to the world. A “Durbar of Chiefs” will also be held, allowing prominent Ghanaian chiefs to share Ghana’s rich traditions and heritage with an international audience.
“The moment is about moving forward, not away from the past, but building upon it. We honor what has come before. We cherish the bridges that have been built. And today, the Black Star Festival commits to widening the path for generations to come,” concluded Gockel.
The Black Star Festival promises to be a transformative annual event, fostering deeper connections, celebrating rich cultural heritage, and paving the way for a prosperous future “Beyond the Return and into the Future: A Touch of Gold.”
