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In the wake of more than fifty issues navigating the global Black diaspora, this signifies a final column. The journey was profoundly rewarding, with great thanks directed to every one of the attentive followers.

Exploring the Accra Festival

Attending the exhibitions, presentations and shows of Accra Cultural Week, it becomes clear how exceptional art sustains and builds a country’s heritage and character. The centrepiece was certainly Clottey's remarkable [Dis]Appearing Rituals: An Open Lab of Now for Tomorrow, which put his pioneering afrogallonism for all to see: a concept that transforms water vessels into captivating art pieces, mosaics of metallic tones. The exhibition was conceived as a homage to the endurance of Jamestown, a venerable quarter of Accra.

The community – mainly inhabited by the Ga ethnic group, a fishing community – is furthermore where many formerly enslaved people came back from Brazil and made their home in the 1830s. Known as the Tabom community, they brought Brazilian tongue and culture.

In every part of Jamestown, one observes a mix of architecture. There’s a historic building, with its unique Portuguese brickwork and door arches. Another landmark is the iconic Jamestown Lighthouse, erected in the 19th century and eventually given its recognizable red-and-white-striped appearance.

Customs of Remembrance

Also striking about Jamestown is the pervasive presence of obituary announcements. Everywhere you turn, whether plastered over buildings or on big hoardings, one finds funeral details and phrases of loss. In Jamestown, similar to the rest of Ghana, memorial services are significant community celebrations.

In this breathtaking show, all of the sights, sounds and religious textures of Jamestown are present – especially in the immersive Jamestown nshonaa installation. In this space, you’re soothed by the recording of the sea with sand underfoot, while beach huts, nets and depictions of vessels pay homage to its spirited, long-standing maritime community. But being present in this venue, it's hard to ignore the piles of cast-off garments that mar the charm and serenity of the area.

In Addition to the Headline Act

There is additional highlights. Within an incomplete building at the campus, creator Sylvester showcased a deeply moving minimalist collection, an incredibly moving, austere exhibition that featured sculptures and artworks made in collaboration with welders.

And then there is the Yaa Asantewaa Art prize for female Ghanaian artists. It showcased the debut presentation of a recent recipient, whose work references historical documents to craft a depiction of life in Ghana after independence. The event also announced a new winner, whose varied work is intensely focused on the weaving practices of women in the Volta region.

A Permanent Impact

While the overseas community has increasingly been pulled back to west Africa in the colder season, more and more are contemplating journeying for the cultural season to immerse themselves in the area's cultural season. From Accra Cultural Week and similar gatherings, what is evident are cultural ecosystems that are not simply new or “upcoming” but have forged an entire world that is permanent.

Finally, the experience offers a image of Accra that feels like a statement for conservation and the preservation of culture. It is a powerful homage to resilience in all its expressions.