Mahama Launches Black Star Experience to Boost Ghana’s Tourism and Cultural Identity
Minority Raises Alarm Over U.S. Travel Advisory, Demands Urgent Action on Security
Emirates Resumes Daily Flights to Nigeria from October 2025, Boosting Regional Travel
On May 1, President John Dramani Mahama launched the Black Star Experience to position Ghana as Africa’s leading tourism destination.
The initiative, part of his 120-Day Social Contract, is a year-round celebration of culture, arts, and tourism.
It features themed months such as Pan African Month, Culinary Month, Ghana Film Festival, and Fashion and Textiles Month, among others.
President Mahama described it as a move to restore national pride, celebrate heritage, and unlock the potential of Ghana’s creative sectors, declaring Ghana the cultural and creative heartbeat of Africa.
The Minority Caucus on Ghana’s Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee has urged the government to address rising insecurity and governance failures following a U.S. Level 2 Travel Advisory warning American citizens of violent crimes and civil unrest in Ghana.
In a statement, the Minority blamed the advisory on the government’s failure to maintain law and order, citing ongoing violence in Bawku, financial scandals, and issues like drug trafficking and money laundering.
They warned of damage to Ghana’s global image and investor confidence, and called for urgent action to restore rule of law, investigate crimes, rebuild trust in security agencies, and engage with civil society and international partners.
Mr. Harry Theoharis, former Greek Deputy Finance Minister and UN Tourism Secretary-General candidate, has proposed a $100 billion tourism investment agenda aimed at attracting 100 million visitors and creating 10 million jobs in Africa by 2030.
In an interview after meeting Ghana’s Tourism Minister and Presidency, he outlined his vision built on four pillars: investment and financing, regenerative growth, connectivity and mobility, and workforce and innovation.
He emphasized large-scale tourism infrastructure, eco and cultural tourism, digital transformation, and improved air travel and visa systems to boost Africa’s tourism sector. He appealed to African UN Tourism member states to support his candidacy.
Emirates Airlines has announced the resumption of its daily flights to Nigeria starting October 1, 2025, after a prolonged suspension due to diplomatic and operational challenges.
The move follows successful negotiations between the Nigerian government and the UAE, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and restore confidence in international travel between the two nations.
This development is expected to boost tourism, business travel, and trade connectivity across West Africa.
