Presidential staffer and coordinator of the Black Star Experience Secretariat, Rex Omar, has firmly dismissed claims that the initiative is a rebranded version of the “Year of Return.”
In an interview on Cape Coast’s Property FM, the Abiba hitmaker emphasized that the two initiatives have different purposes and structures.
“Those saying the Black Star Experience is another form of the Year of Return do not understand the initiative and concept,” he stated.
A Lifestyle Movement, Not a One-Time Event
Rex Omar explained that while the “Year of Return” marked 400 years since the start of the transatlantic slave trade and was largely commemorative, the Black Star Experience goes beyond history.
He described it as a lifestyle initiative designed to promote Ghanaian culture daily, through food, clothing, music, and local investment.
“Black Star Experience is not an event but a 365-day way of life. Every time you spend on a Ghanaian product, you’re making the Black Star shine,” he said.
The initiative aims to instill national pride, revive cultural heritage, and empower Ghanaians and members of the diaspora to celebrate their identity.
Driving Cultural Development and Economic Growth
The Black Star Experience will feature cultural and educational programs throughout the year, such as:
Pan-African Month
Ghana Music World
Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month
Culinary, Fashion, and Literary Months
It also supports young digital content creators and plans to revive the Creative Arts Fund to help startups and creative businesses.
In addition, the program seeks to strengthen local media content laws and improve copyright and royalty collection systems to protect Ghanaian creatives.
