The National Federation of Masqueraders and Fancy Dress of Ghana has unveiled plans to launch a nationwide carnival initiative aimed at transforming the country’s vibrant masquerade tradition into a structured tourism and revenue-generating platform.

The initiative, dubbed Black Star Carnival, will adopt a three-tier structure starting with district-level celebrations, moving to regional durbars and culminating in a grand national finale.

According to the Federation, the programme seeks to harness the cultural and economic potential of Ghana’s diverse masquerade and fancy-dress traditions by creating a coordinated calendar of events that will showcase the country’s creative heritage to both local and international audiences.

To support the initiative with global expertise, an international delegation from the global carnival community is expected in Ghana to provide technical guidance and strategic support.

The delegation includes Mr Henry Antoine, President of the World Carnival Commission, and Mr Pax Nindi, Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and President of the Global Carnival Centre. Mr Nindi is widely known for his work in developing sustainable carnival practices and festival infrastructure across Africa and the Caribbean.

Other members of the team include Mr Michael Roberts, Ms Jemma Jordan, popularly known as the “Voice of Carnival,” Ms Claudette Antoine and Ms Shirley Boston of Carnival USA. The delegation will collaborate with Ghanaian stakeholders to help develop and implement the structure for the Black Star Carnival.

Speaking on behalf of the Federation, Dr Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr said the initiative was intended to transform what has traditionally been a community-based cultural activity into a viable creative industry.

“This is about transforming what has historically been a community-based tradition into a sustainable creative industry,” he said.

He explained that the structured approach would create multiple opportunities for tourism engagement across the country.

“By coordinating celebrations from the district level through to the national stage, we create several entry points for tourism. A tourist who attends a district celebration, for instance in the Volta Region, may be encouraged to follow the events to the regional level and eventually to the national climax at the Black Star Square,” he said.

Dr Oduro Arhin Jnr noted that the carnival initiative aims to promote cultural tourism across all sixteen regions, generate tax revenue for the state through formalised events and services, and create sustainable income opportunities for players within the masquerade value chain.

He said costume designers, mask carvers, event organisers, transport operators and hospitality providers would all benefit from increased patronage and the formalisation of activities within the sector.

 According to him, collaboration with experienced international carnival practitioners will help position Ghana as a leading destination for cultural tourism in West Africa while preserving the unique identity of the country’s masquerade traditions.

The Federation said detailed participation guidelines, including criteria for progression from district to regional and national levels, will be released in the coming weeks. The maiden edition of the carnival is expected to begin later this year following the technical advisory visit by the international delegation.

The Federation is working with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to ensure the successful rollout of the Black Star Carnival.

Dr Oduro Arhin Jnr, popularly known as Bnoskka, added that the visiting delegation will pay courtesy calls on the Speaker of Parliament and the Presidency and will also engage key stakeholders through a National Policy Dialogue on the development and implementation of the Black Star Carnival