General News
Don’t Expect Concerts When People Can’t Afford Food – Rex Omar on Black Star Experience
Venerated Ghanaian musician and entrepreneur Rex Owusu Marfo, popularly known as Rex Omar, has appealed to Ghanaians to exercise patience with the Black Star Experience (BSE), explaining that the country’s economic challenges have affected the entertainment industry and other sectors.
He said the initiative was operating within a difficult economic environment, where individuals, businesses and institutions were facing financial constraints.
Speaking about the situation, Rex Omar used the everyday struggles of ordinary Ghanaians to explain why entertainment activities could be affected when people are unable to meet their basic needs.
“If I don’t have money to eat, why should I use the small money I have to feed my family to go and watch a movie or a musical concert?” he asked.
According to him, the economic difficulties facing the country extend beyond the Black Star Experience, stressing that several sectors have been affected by the financial challenges.
He explained that Ghana had accumulated significant debts that the government needed to address, adding that the country’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had formed part of the broader economic situation.
“Everybody knows we are with the IMF, so we’ve paid a lot of the debt,” he said.
Rex Omar also referred to the Finance Minister’s plans for a new economic programme expected to be introduced in 2027, which he said would address challenges across various industries.
He mentioned pharmaceuticals, tourism and the Black Star Experience among the sectors he believes would benefit from efforts to tackle the country’s economic difficulties.
The musician further acknowledged the work of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, saying the government’s economic measures should be considered in the context of the financial challenges it inherited.
He maintained that the difficulties affecting household spending and the wider economy had implications for the creative arts and entertainment industry, particularly activities that depend on people having disposable income.
Rex Omar, however, urged the public not to lose confidence in the Black Star Experience, assuring them that the initiative was preparing to begin its activities.
“Don’t forget we are resetting. If I don’t have money to feed, why use the small money to watch a movie or concert? The economic issue is affecting all sectors, including the Black Star Experience, but be patient with us. You will see something. We are about to take off,” he said.
He reiterated that Ghanaians should remain patient as efforts continue to address the economic challenges and create conditions for the initiative to move forward.
His comments come amid public discussions about the implementation of the Black Star Experience, an initiative associated with efforts to promote Ghana’s creative arts, tourism and cultural identity.
Rex Omar’s remarks suggest that the broader economic environment remains a significant consideration in the organisation and delivery of entertainment-related activities, while he maintains that the Black Star Experience is preparing to take off.