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Following in excess of fifty issues navigating the international Black diaspora, this marks a concluding piece. The tenure was incredibly fulfilling, and great gratitude directed to every one of the engaged readers.

Inside the Accra Festival

Attending the exhibitions, artworks and performances of this event, it becomes clear how superior art nourishes and constructs a country’s heritage and essence. The highlight was undoubtedly the artist's exquisite a profound exploration of ritual and time, which put his innovative afrogallonism for all to see: a concept that converts water vessels into illusory art pieces, mosaics of golden hues. The exhibition was designed as a homage to the resilience of this area, a venerable area of Accra.

The community – mainly populated by the Ga community, a fishing community – is also where many freed slaves arrived from Brazil and settled in the 1830s. Referred to as the Tabom, they brought Brazilian tongue and traditions.

Throughout Jamestown, one observes a blend of architecture. You'll find Fort Vicentia, boasting its unique colonial-era brickwork and curved entrances. Also present is the iconic lighthouse of Jamestown, erected in the 1800s and later given its distinctive banded facade.

Traditions of Mourning

Equally notable about Jamestown is the pervasive sight of obituary announcements. Everywhere you turn, be it plastered over walls or on big signboards, one finds funeral details and terms of mourning. In Jamestown, similar to the rest of Ghana, funerals are major social gatherings.

In Clottey’s breathtaking show, every aspect of the sights, sounds and religious textures of Jamestown are evoked – notably in the immersive shoreline work. Here, one is relaxed by the sound of the sea with sand on the floor, while shelters, nets and representations of canoes honour its vibrant, multigenerational fishing community. However being present in this venue, it's hard to ignore the piles of textile waste that threaten the beauty and serenity of the shoreline.

Beyond the Headline Act

There is additional highlights. Within an raw space at the University of Ghana, creator Sylvester exhibited a deeply moving minimalist collection, an profoundly affecting, stripped-back exhibition that displayed sculptures and artworks created in collaboration with metalworkers.

Another key element is the Yaa Asantewaa Art prize for women artists of Ghanaian origin. It included the first solo show of a recent winner, whose work references personal family archives to craft a depiction of life in Ghana after independence. The event also announced a current winner, whose multidisciplinary work is deeply concerned with the textile traditions of women in Dabala.

A Lasting Legacy

While the overseas community has increasingly been attracted back to Ghana in the winter months, an increasing number are contemplating travelling earlier in the year to engage with the region’s artistic calendar. From Accra Cultural Week and regional art fairs, what you’ll find are art scenes that are not simply new or “upcoming” but have established an complete universe that is permanent.

Ultimately, the journey leaves one with a vision of Accra that serves as a declaration for ecological stewardship and the safeguarding of culture. It is a resonant testament to resilience in all its manifestations.