Presidential staffer and coordinator of the Black Star Experience Secretariat, Rex Omar, has pushed back against claims that the Black Star Experience is merely a rebranded version of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ‘Year of Return’ initiative.
In an interview with Property FM in Cape Coast, the veteran musician and cultural advocate clarified that the two initiatives are fundamentally different in both scope and intention. While the ‘Year of Return’ was a singular event commemorating 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in North America, Omar emphasized that the Black Star Experience is a long-term cultural lifestyle initiative designed to promote Ghanaian identity throughout the year.
“Those saying the Black Star Experience is another form of the Year of Return do not understand the initiative and concept,” he said. “The Year of Return was an event to mark the end of transatlantic slavery—that’s why it was followed by Beyond the Return. But this is different.”
According to Omar, the Black Star Experience is not just about events—it is about embedding Ghanaian pride and culture into everyday life. “It’s a 365-day way of life that projects everything Ghanaian to the world,” he explained. “Our food, our clothes—every time you spend on a Ghanaian product, you’re making the Black Star shine.”
The initiative aims to instill a deep sense of national pride, while encouraging both Ghanaians and members of the diaspora to invest in and celebrate local traditions, products, and creative expressions.
Described as one of Ghana’s flagship culture, arts, and tourism initiatives, the Black Star Experience is designed to position Ghana as a top global cultural destination. It will feature a year-round calendar of activities spanning various artistic and educational domains, including:
- Pan African Month
- Celebrating Heritage, History and Diaspora Engagement
- Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month
- Ghana Music World
- Culinary Month
- Fashion and Textiles Month
- Literacy/Literary Month
In addition, the initiative seeks to empower young digital content creators to tell authentic Ghanaian stories, revive the Creative Arts Fund to support the creative industry, and strengthen enforcement of local broadcasting and copyright policies.
Omar concluded by stressing that the Black Star Experience is about legacy: “This is not just for tourism—it’s a cultural mission to make Ghana shine on the world stage every single day.”
Story by Obaapa Jnee/ahotoronline.com
