In a historic move, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama will participate in a fashion runway event as part of the inaugural Black Star Fashion Week scheduled for November 2026. This event, confirmed by Rex Omar, coordinator of the Black Star Experience, marks a first in Ghana's political history. The Black Star Fashion Week is part of a broader initiative aimed at promoting Ghanaian culture, creativity, and industry.
The Black Star Fashion Week is designed to connect emerging Ghanaian fashion designers with established players in the industry. It also aims to bridge the gap between younger and older generations of fashion practitioners in Ghana. According to Rex Omar, the event will feature a workshop and exhibition in Accra on November 4, followed by the main event in Akosombo on November 7. This deliberate move to hold the main event outside Accra reflects the government's intention to spread the initiative's activities beyond the capital.
President Mahama's participation in the fashion runway was first announced in May 2025 at the launch of the Black Star Experience. During the launch, the President pledged to walk the runway at a Ghana Fashion Week event, change outfits three times, and personally name the Ghanaian designers behind each piece he wore. This presidential participation is being seen as a rare form of high-level endorsement for Ghana's fashion industry, potentially drawing greater local and international attention to local designers and the broader creative economy.
The Black Star Experience is a government-backed initiative aimed at promoting Ghanaian culture, creativity, and industry, both locally and among the diaspora. Since its launch in May 2025, it has grown to include cultural and homecoming events targeted at Ghanaians abroad and the wider African diaspora. These events have been designed to foster a sense of community and connection among Ghanaians globally.
In addition to the Black Star Fashion Week, Rex Omar announced a Ghana-Jamaica Homecoming event planned for the Legon Stadium. This event is expected to feature Ghanaian musician Stonebwoy alongside Jamaican artiste Gramps Morgan and other performers from Jamaica. Further activities under the Black Star Experience are in the pipeline, though details of upcoming projects have not been disclosed.
For Ghana's fashion industry, the presidential participation in the runway show is seen as a significant endorsement. It is hoped that this event will open up new markets for emerging Ghanaian designers and provide them with a platform to showcase their work. The initiative also aims to highlight Ghana's rich cultural heritage and creative industry on the global stage.
While details about ticket arrangements, guest lists, and livestreaming for the November event have not been finalized, the anticipation is building. The full program lineup for both the Accra and Akosombo legs of the Black Star Fashion Week has not been disclosed, nor have the criteria for selecting designers to feature alongside President Mahama on the runway been announced.
Key points
- President John Dramani Mahama will be the first sitting Ghanaian president to walk a fashion runway at the Black Star Fashion Week in November 2026.
- The Black Star Fashion Week aims to connect emerging Ghanaian fashion designers with established players and bridge the gap between younger and older generations of fashion practitioners.
- The event is part of the broader Black Star Experience initiative, which promotes Ghanaian culture, creativity, and industry locally and among the diaspora.
