The Black Star Experience Secretariat (BSE), under the Office of the President of Ghana, has signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Arts Council of South Africa (NACSA), marking a historic step in strengthening cultural diplomacy, creative collaboration, and economic growth between the two nations.
The agreement, signed at NACSA’s headquarters in Johannesburg, was represented by Mr. Rex Owusu Marfo, Chief Executive Officer of the BSE, and Ms. Julie Diphofo, Acting CEO of NACSA.
According to Mr. Marfo, this collaboration represents more than a formal agreement; it is a “bridge between Ghana and South Africa, and by extension, between West and Southern Africa.”
He emphasised that the partnership is rooted in the deep historical bonds both countries share and will position the creative industries of Ghana and South Africa at the forefront of Africa’s development agenda.
Key Areas of Collaboration
The partnership will roll out across several strategic areas including:
• Cultural and creative exchange programmes
• Heritage preservation
• Arts education partnerships and residencies
• Institutional exchanges, internships, and training opportunities
• Joint research and development initiatives
Through this, South African creatives will gain access to Ghana’s vibrant platforms such as Creatives Connect Afrika, Afro Future, Tidal Rave Ghana, Beyond the Return, and the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA). These events already command audiences across West Africa and the diaspora, creating a combined market of over 460 million people.
Advancing Africa’s Creative Ecosystem
Highlighting Ghana’s pivotal role, Mr. Marfo noted that Ghana, as the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence, and South Africa, whose liberation struggle inspired the world, have both been beacons of creativity and resilience.
“Through this partnership, the BSE aims to promote cultural exchanges, preserve shared heritage, strengthen youth engagement, support institutional development, and drive research and innovation,” he said.
NACSA’s Acting CEO, Ms. Diphofo, echoed the sentiment, describing the MoU as a milestone in advancing Africa’s creative ecosystem: “As two leading nations in arts and culture, we are proud to join hands with Ghana to strengthen cultural diplomacy and enhance opportunities for creatives on the continent.”
The Black Star Experience Vision
The BSE, established under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, is Ghana’s premier governmental institution dedicated to advancing culture, arts, tourism, and the creative economy. Its mission is to connect Ghana’s dynamic cultural landscape with global audiences, foster meaningful partnerships, and champion African excellence on the world stage.
This partnership, officials say, affirms BSE’s mandate of positioning Ghana as a premier hub for cultural exchange and creative collaboration, while also cementing its role as a continental leader in cultural diplomacy.
The Ghanaian delegation at the signing included top officials from the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Beyond the Return Secretariat, and the High Commission in South Africa, underscoring the high-level commitment attached to the agreement.
With this MoU, the Black Star Experience Secretariat has taken a bold step in projecting Ghana as a central hub for African arts and culture, deepening South-South collaboration, and ensuring that African creativity continues to thrive globally.
