The much-anticipated Black Star Experience concert, staged at the Black Star Square in Accra as part of the government’s December cultural festivities
The much-anticipated Black Star Experience concert, staged at the Black Star Square in Accra as part of the government’s December cultural festivities, has come under intense public criticism following widespread complaints over poor technical execution and low patronage, culminating in a visibly frustrated performance by Nigerian Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage.
The event, themed “Taste the Culture”, was billed as one of the flagship activities under the second term of John Dramani Mahama administration’s new cultural and tourism drive aimed at rebranding Ghana as a global entertainment and heritage destination.
Marketed as a celebration of music, food and fashion, the concert was expected to showcase the readiness to compete with globally recognised December events such as the widely celebrated “Detty December,” which flourished under the previous administration.
However, expectations sharply contrasted with reality on the night of the event.
Videos and eyewitness accounts circulating on social media showed a sparsely attended venue and serious technical challenges, particularly with sound quality.
Tiwa Savage, the headline act and one of Africa’s biggest music exports, was seen visibly frustrated on stage as repeated sound failures disrupted her performance.
At a point, the singer reportedly halted her set, unable to continue under what many described as “unprofessional” technical conditions.
Critics have since accused the organisers— including key figures such as the Deputy CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Abeiku Santana and event impresario Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), who have been closely associated with the Black Star Experience project — of poor planning and execution.
Critics claim the sound system deployed for the concert was substandard and unfit for a high-profile international show, likening it to equipment typically used for small funerals rather than a major state-backed music festival.
Beyond the stage, vendors who had invested in food and beverage stalls at the venue also expressed frustration, reporting low patronage and significant financial losses.
Many had anticipated large crowds, given the heavy promotion of the event and its positioning as a flagship December attraction.
The backlash has been particularly sharp because of earlier criticisms made by some of the same organizers against the previous administration’s handling of the creative arts sector.
Under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, initiatives such as the “Year of Return” and “December in GH” placed Ghana firmly on the global tourism map, attracting thousands of visitors from the diaspora and generating significant revenue for local businesses.
Interestingly, Abeiku Santana recentl hailed the Akufo-Addo administration for Organising such a successful event which gain global recognition.
Critics argue that while the current administration’s “Black Star Experience” was meant to build on that legacy, its early execution has instead exposed gaps in planning, coordination and delivery.
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