#SONA2025: Read President Mahama’s plan for the Arts and Tourism industry
President John Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to use the flagship initiative, ‘THE BLACK STAR EXPERIENCE,’ to establish Ghana as the gateway to Africa for the global diaspora.
In his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) address in Parliament on Thursday, February 27 2025, the president mentioned that the ‘Black Star Experience’ intends to feature thoughtfully curated cultural, historical, and creative arts experiences in collaboration with the private sector, diplomatic missions, ministries, departments, and agencies.
“Our aim is to position the Black Star Experience as a uniquely Ghanaian Tourism brand. The Pan African Month will be a part of the Black Star Experience,” he said.
He also expressed government's commitment to developing Osu Castle into a more attractive tourist site.
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"We will develop the Osu Castle, the former seat of government and the area around it as a tourist attraction. It will have a pedestrian precinct with arts and craft market, jewelry and gold markets. This approximate 22-acre land will become a destination for tourism," he said.
Read address on Arts and Tourism sector
“Mr. Speaker, Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts remain vital cornerstones of our national development strategy, playing a significant role in job creation, cultural exchange, and economic growth.
In recent years, the ministry has launched transformative initiatives to position Ghana as a premier global destination. These initiatives aim to harness the country’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and dynamic creative sector.
Our flagship initiative, ‘THE BLACK STAR EXPERIENCE,’ aims to establish Ghana as the gateway to Africa for the global diaspora, featuring thoughtfully curated cultural, historical, and creative arts experiences in collaboration with the private sector, diplomatic missions, ministries, departments, and agencies.
Our aim is to position the Black Star Experience as a uniquely Ghanaian Tourism brand. The Pan African Month will be a part of the Black Star Experience.
It will include street carnivals, film week, a Fashion festival, a food fair, theatrical and drama performances, concert party competitions, and monthly domestic tourism destinations.
We will strategically promote Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism to diversify our tourism offerings.
Ghana’s peaceful and democratic environment positions us as an attractive hub for international summits, business conventions, and high-profile gatherings.
We must capitalise on this unique advantage to maximise our benefits and strengthen our reputation as the Centre of the World.
We are also committed to revitalising the Accra Marine Drive Project, a significant urban redevelopment initiative designed to transform approximately 241 acres of Accra’s coastline into a vibrant tourism and economic hub.
Although the Cabinet approved this vital project during my presidency in 2016, progress stalled under the previous administration. We will reassess the work completed and take decisive action to bring this important project back on track.
We will develop the Osu Castle, the former seat of Government, and the area surrounding it as a tourist attraction, a pedestrian precinct, with arts and craft markets, and a jewellery and gold market”.
