The Blackstar Experience Secretariat (BSE) of Ghana, operating under the Office of the President, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Arts Council of South Africa (NACSA) to deepen cultural relations and expand opportunities in the creative industries of both countries.
The signing ceremony took place at NACSA’s headquarters in Johannesburg, with Rex Owusu Marfo, Chief Executive Officer of BSE, representing Ghana, and Julie Diphofa, Acting CEO of NACSA, signing on behalf of South Africa.
The agreement outlines areas of collaboration including cultural and creative exchange programmes, heritage preservation, arts education, residencies, institutional partnerships, internships, training opportunities, and joint research and development projects.
As part of the MoU, South African creatives will have access to Ghana’s leading cultural platforms such as Creatives Connect Afrika, Afro Future, Tidal Rave Ghana, Beyond The Return, and the Telecel Ghana Music Awards. Collectively, these events attract audiences across West Africa and the diaspora, reaching a market of more than 460 million people.
Speaking at the signing, Mr. Marfo, who also serves as a Presidential Staffer and Blackstar Experience Coordinator, highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the partnership.
“This is more than an agreement; it is a bridge between Ghana and South Africa, and by extension, between West and Southern Africa. Our countries share deep historical ties — Ghana, the first sub-Saharan African nation to achieve independence, and South Africa, whose liberation inspired the world, have long stood as symbols of resilience, creativity, and leadership. It is only fitting that we now strengthen our cooperation in arts and culture, which embody the soul of our people.”
He further noted that the partnership would foster cross-border learning, artistic collaboration, and heritage preservation, while driving innovation to position both nations at the heart of Africa’s creative economy.
On her part, Ms. Diphofa described the MoU as a milestone for 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 expand opportunities for creatives across the continent,” she said.
The Ghanaian delegation at the ceremony included Mrs. Charlotte Djan of the Ghana High Commission in South Africa; Mr. Kofi Okyere Darko, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President; 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.
This collaboration reinforces the BSE’s mandate to establish Ghana as a hub for cultural exchange and creative collaboration. It also marks a significant step toward building cross-continental platforms that celebrate Africa’s heritage, strengthen cultural diplomacy, and create lasting opportunities for the continent’s creative sector.