Cyril-Alex Gockel, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at GD Visionary Group Ltd

A new cultural initiative aimed at deepening Ghana’s engagement with the African diaspora has been launched in Accra. Dubbed the Black Star Festival: Beyond the Return, Into the Future, the festival is being positioned as an annual platform to strengthen cross-continental ties through arts, business, and youth engagement.

The press launch, held in Accra on Tuesday, brought together cultural stakeholders, business leaders, and representatives from partner institutions. Speaking at the event, Cyril-Alex Gockel, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at GD Visionary Group Ltd, underscored the festival’s broader mission as a continuation of Ghana’s recent diaspora outreach campaigns.

“In recent years, Ghana has led the charge in welcoming home our brothers and sisters from around the world,” Gockel said, referencing the Year of Return and Beyond the Return campaigns that drew global attention to Ghana in 2019 and beyond. “These efforts laid the foundation for what we are building today—a future where connection goes beyond a moment in time and transforms into a lasting movement.”

The festival, a collaboration between GD Visionary and the National Commission on Culture (NCC), will roll out in two phases: first in the United States in September 2025, followed by events in Ghana in October 2025. Organisers say the events will bring together university students, creatives, entrepreneurs, and academics from across the African diaspora.

Gockel revealed that Nigeria will also participate as a collaborating partner, adding a regional dimension to the festival’s pan-African agenda. “Africa’s future is brightest when we stand together, embracing shared identity and opportunity,” he noted.

The festival will feature a blend of music, theatre, visual arts, fashion, and business activations. Beyond celebration, organisers emphasise that the festival aims to position Ghana as a cultural and investment hub, while also creating opportunities for youth engagement and cross-border collaboration.

The name “Black Star Festival” draws from Ghana’s iconic national symbol, the Black Star, representing unity and hope for Africa and the diaspora.

“We honor what has come before, we cherish the bridges that have been built, and today, we commit to widening the path for generations to come,” Gockel said, calling on stakeholders to play a role in shaping a future rooted in shared heritage.

While details of the individual festival events are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, organisers are optimistic that the initiative will build on past successes while charting a new course for long-term diaspora engagement.

The Black Star Festival joins a growing list of cultural events in Ghana aimed at promoting heritage tourism, fostering economic partnerships, and celebrating the country’s place in the global African story.