The National Commission on Culture (NCC), under the leadership of its Executive Director, Mr. Wakefield Ackuaku, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three key partners: BuzzyStores Ghana Ltd, a private sector technology and digital commerce company; Swipe Solutions AB, a digital development firm based in Sweden; and the Ghana-Sweden Chamber of Commerce (GSCC), an organization promoting bilateral economic and cultural collaboration.
This MoU sets the foundation for a strategic partnership under the Ghana-Sweden Fashion Bridge initiative—an international cultural and trade exchange project aimed at promoting creativity, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development through fashion and digital innovation between Ghana and Sweden.
At the signing ceremony, Mr. Ackuaku expressed NCC’s strong commitment to the collaboration, stating that the initiative aligns with the Commission’s long-term vision of promoting Ghanaian culture globally.
He emphasized that NCC will coordinate with all 16 Regional Directors of the Centre for National Culture (CNC) to organize events at the district and regional levels, which will lead to the selection of designers to represent Ghana.
He also mentioned that Cultural Ambassadors from the fashion sector will support the selection process and described the MoU as a blueprint that enhances the Black Star Experience.
The Founder and CEO of BuzzyStores Ghana Ltd and Swipe Solutions AB, Mr. Enoch Afeti Kwame Dugbazah shared his inspiration for the project and explained that wearing colorful African garments in Sweden spark interest among the diaspora, leading to the conception of the initiative. Mr. Dugbazah highlighted their vision to bring African fashion to the streets of Europe and emphasized the project’s potential for international partnerships and sustainability. He expressed optimism, aiming for 80% success this year and envisions the initiative evolving into an annual event with added components such as tourism and economic impact.
The President of the Ghana-Sweden Chamber of Commerce, Madam Pearl Delali Vanderpuije expressed gratitude to the Executive Director and stakeholders present. She stressed the importance of working within timelines, especially regarding designer selection and visa acquisition. She noted that applications for Swedish visas must begin by August to meet the target of launching the first edition of the Ghana-Sweden Fashion Show in November 2025. She assured the Commission that GSCC is prepared to facilitate the visa process and emphasized the importance of funding for the inaugural edition, which could attract donor interest.
The inaugural Ghana-Sweden Fashion Bridge event is scheduled to take place in Sweden in November 2025, with the exact date to be announced soon. This initiative is expected to deepen cultural ties, spotlight Ghanaian fashion talent on an international stage, and contribute to broader cultural, economic, and tourism development goals.
