Blackstar Experience signs cultural partnership with South Africa’s National Arts Council

The Blackstar Experience Secretariat (BSE) of Ghana, under the Office of the President, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Arts Council of South Africa (NACSA) to strengthen cultural ties and create opportunities within the creative industries of both nations.

The agreement was signed at NACSA’s headquarters in Johannesburg. Rex Owusu Marfo, Chief Executive Officer of the BSE, represented Ghana while Julie Diphofa, Acting CEO of NACSA, signed on behalf of South Africa.

The partnership will focus on cultural and creative exchange programmes, heritage preservation, arts education collaborations and residencies, institutional exchanges, internships, training opportunities, as well as joint research and development projects.

Through the MoU, South African creatives will gain access to major Ghanaian cultural platforms including Creatives Connect Afrika, Afro Future, Tidal Rave Ghana, Beyond The Return and the Telecel Ghana Music Awards. These events, celebrated across West Africa and the diaspora, open doors to a combined market of over 460 million people.

At the signing ceremony, Mr Marfo, who also serves as a Presidential Staffer and Black Star Experience Coordinator, emphasised the importance of the collaboration.

“This is more than an agreement, it is a bridge between Ghana and South Africa, and by extension, between West and Southern Africa. Our nations share deep historical bonds. Ghana, as the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence, and South Africa, whose liberation struggle inspired the world, have always stood as beacons of resilience, creativity, and leadership on the continent. It is only fitting that we formalise cooperation in a sector that speaks to the soul of our people, Arts and Culture.”

He added: “Through this partnership, the BSE aims to promote cultural and creative exchanges that allow our artists to learn from one another, showcase their work across borders, and inspire future generations.”

Mr Marfo further explained that the collaboration would focus on preserving shared heritage, strengthening arts education, and supporting institutional development. It will also drive research and innovation to position the creative industries of Ghana and South Africa at the centre of Africa’s development agenda.

NACSA Acting CEO, Ms Diphofa, described the MoU as a milestone for the continent’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.”

Mr Marfo was accompanied by a high-level Ghanaian delegation including Mrs Charlotte Djan of the Ghana High Commission in South Africa; Mr Kofi Okyere Darko, Director at the Office of the President in charge of Diaspora Affairs; Mr Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority; Ms Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat; Mr William Ahadzi, Regional Director (Upper East) of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and Mr Matthew Mensah, Chief Liaison Officer of the BSE.

The partnership affirms the BSE’s mandate to position Ghana as a hub for cultural exchange and creative collaboration. It also represents a step towards building cross-continental platforms that celebrate Africa’s heritage, strengthen people-to-people ties and expand opportunities for creatives globally.

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