The creative industry in Ghana is set to take centre stage once again as the annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival kicks off on Monday, August 19, at the Black Star Square, Osu, Accra. The week-long event, running until August 25, will offer an exciting platform for artists to showcase their talents and potentially market their works to a global audience.
Renowned for its unique expression of creativity, the Chale Wote festival brings together independent artists who use various forms of art to tell compelling stories. Each year, the festival is centred around a specific theme, allowing artists to curate works that resonate with historical and cultural narratives. This year’s theme, “And Now an End to the Empire of Horrors,” challenges the misconception that the arrival of colonial forces brought civilization to Africa. It highlights the stories of historical figures like Asebu Amenfi and Borketey Laweh, who played crucial roles in the history of Accra, through murals, photography, and performance art.
Today, the global creative economy is valued at over $1 trillion. However, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Africa’s share in this booming industry remains significantly low, accounting for only about 2.9% of global creative goods exports, which translates to roughly $58.4 billion and less than 1% of the continent’s GDP. Ghana’s creative industry reflects this broader African narrative, with its immense potential often going untapped.
Events like the Chale Wote festival present a unique opportunity to harness, nurture, and export Ghanaian art to the world. The festival not only serves as a celebration of creativity but also as a critical platform for artists to connect with potential buyers and international media.
Visitors will interact with curated works that offer new insights into Ghana’s history, allowing them to re-imagine the past and its relevance to the present and future.
Throughout the festival, activities will be held inside the Osu Castle Gardens, where independent artworks will be displayed, alongside film screenings, performances, and thought-provoking discussions. The festival will reach its peak on Saturday and Sunday with live concerts and vibrant vending activities.
The festival has also issued a call for professionals who have been active for at least two years and are committed to their craft. Selected artists will be expected to prepare and release their works between August 10 and 18, ensuring they are ready for display throughout the festival.
On the sidelines of the main events, vendors who have secured permits from the organizers will offer a wide range of products and services to festival-goers, adding to the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere of the Chale Wote Street Art Festival.
