Ghana’s tourism and creative economy continue to experience renewed growth as government strengthens efforts to position the country as Africa’s leading cultural and heritage destination. While many still associate Ghana’s global tourism success with the landmark Year of Return campaign of 2019, it is important to understand that the country has since moved into a new phase of sector growth under the Black Star Experience, a broader and forward looking national programme being advanced under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.

Over the past year, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and its agencies have intensified efforts to grow the sector, creating renewed momentum across tourism, the arts, and the creative industries. These efforts form part of the Mahama administration’s wider commitment to reposition tourism and culture as key drivers of economic growth, job creation, and global engagement.

Under President Mahama’s leadership, tourism and the creative arts have regained prominence as strategic pillars for national development. The government’s renewed focus has provided stronger coordination across agencies, boosted stakeholder confidence, and created fresh opportunities for creatives, event promoters, tourism operators, and investors within the sector.

At the ministerial level, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has been working to strengthen Ghana’s cultural ecosystem and tourism value chain through the various agencies under the ministry.

The Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana’s primary tourism marketing agency, has also continued to record notable progress in destination promotion and stakeholder engagement. Under the leadership of Mrs Maame Efua Sekyi-Aidoo Houadjeto, the authority has sustained campaigns and partnerships that keep Ghana visible in competitive tourism markets while supporting industry players to raise service and product standards.

Understanding the difference between Ghana’s flagship tourism initiatives is therefore important. The Year of Return was a commemorative campaign marking 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were taken to the Americas. It invited the African diaspora, particularly African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans, to reconnect with their ancestral homeland. The initiative resonated globally, drawing record visitor arrivals and creating powerful emotional and economic connections.

The Black Star Experience, however, represents a more expansive and sustainable national agenda. Rather than being tied to a single commemorative year, it is structured as a long term programme designed to position Ghana as the culture capital of Africa, offering year round cultural, entertainment, heritage, and creative experiences.

While the Year of Return focused on historical reconnection, the Black Star Experience looks ahead, promoting Ghana’s living culture, contemporary creative industries, festivals, music, film, cuisine, fashion, and lifestyle experiences to both global and continental audiences.

A key strength of the current approach under the Mahama administration is the emphasis on sustainability and inclusiveness. The Black Star Experience aims to ensure that tourism benefits extend beyond Accra to communities and heritage destinations nationwide, creating jobs and economic opportunities across regions.

In essence, the Year of Return reopened the door between Ghana and the global African diaspora. The Black Star Experience now expands that journey, inviting the world not only to return, but to continually experience Ghana’s culture, creativity, and hospitality.

As Ghana builds on the progress made over recent years, the renewed energy and direction under President John Dramani Mahama signal a promising chapter for tourism and the creative economy, one that seeks to transform Ghana from a moment of global attention into a permanent destination of cultural excellence, investment opportunity, and shared prosperity.

By: Edward Boafo Owusu

Programs Lead,

Black Star Experience Secretaria