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In the wake of in excess of fifty issues delving into the international Black diaspora, this marks a final dispatch. The tenure proved incredibly rewarding, with great appreciation extended to all the attentive followers.

A Look Inside the Accra Festival

Attending the exhibitions, installations and shows of Accra Cultural Week, one sees how the finest art feeds and builds a nation's past and identity. The centrepiece was undoubtedly Clottey's remarkable [Dis]Appearing Rituals: An Open Lab of Now for Tomorrow, which put his innovative afrogallonism in full view: a philosophy that reimagines water vessels into captivating art pieces, mosaics of yellow, brass and gold. The show was conceived as a tribute to the endurance of Jamestown, a historic neighbourhood of Accra.

This area – mainly populated by the Ga ethnic group, a seafaring people – is additionally where a great number of returning Africans arrived from Brazil and established themselves in the 1830s. Known as the Tabom community, they carried with them Portuguese language and culture.

Throughout Jamestown, one observes a mix of building designs. Standing is Franklin House, boasting its distinct Portuguese masonry and arched doorways. One can also see the iconic beacon, constructed in the 19th century and later featuring its recognizable banded appearance.

Traditions of Mourning

Equally striking about Jamestown is the ubiquitous sight of memorial notices. Everywhere you turn, be it covering buildings or on big signboards, there are funeral details and phrases of farewell. In Jamestown, mirroring customs in Ghana, final rites are large-scale community celebrations.

In Clottey’s breathtaking installation, the entirety of the sights, sounds and religious textures of Jamestown are present – particularly in the immersive shoreline installation. Here, visitors are calmed by the recording of crashing waves with granules underfoot, while shacks, hanging fishing nets and depictions of vessels celebrate its spirited, multigenerational fishing community. However being present in this venue, it's hard to ignore the mountains of cast-off garments that compromise the charm and peace of the shoreline.

Apart from the Headline Act

Accra Cultural Week also features additional highlights. Inside an unfinished structure at the local university, creator Sylvester exhibited a deeply moving minimalist collection, an incredibly moving, austere presentation that featured sculptures and artworks produced in collaboration with artisans.

And then there is the competition for female artists for female Ghanaian artists. It showcased the debut presentation of a prior winner, whose work draws on personal family archives to produce a depiction of life in post-independence Ghana. The event also announced a latest winner, whose diverse work is intensely focused on the craft techniques of women in the Volta region.

An Enduring Legacy

Although the overseas community has grown been drawn home to Ghana in the winter months, more and more are considering travelling earlier in the year to experience the area's festival period. From this festival and similar gatherings, what is evident are creative communities that are not simply nascent or “upcoming” but have forged an whole universe that is here to stay.

Ultimately, the visit offers a vision of Accra that feels like a declaration for ecological stewardship and the safeguarding of culture. It is a resonant tribute to perseverance in all its manifestations.