Part of the Ako Adjei interchange
The various interchanges in Accra are undergoing various changes, using art. The artistry images are to beautify the city and also address a particular social issue using art.
The project, spearheaded by Gyankroma Akufo-Addo, and under the auspices of the Creative Arts Council, involves 43 social artistes.
Speaking to journalists last week at the Ako Adjei Interchange, one of the interchanges being used for the project, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo said the purpose of the project is to help beautify the city, which is one of the goals of President Akufo-Addo’s government.
“Thus, the main aim of a social artist is to improve society as a whole and help other people find their own means of creative expression,” she added.
Art for everyone
Apart from the intention to make the streets beautiful, she said she believes art should be for everyone and not some few privileged in society.
“Art can sometimes be viewed as very elitist. We want to be able to break that down and make the space a public space, whether you like art or not, whether you like these pictures or not, so that it stirs some kind of debate, talk and interest as well,” she told journalists.
“We’re also hoping that, with the attitude of ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ … people will take that same attitude and respect the pieces up there, see that these arts are actually self-sufficient,” she added.
Gyankroma Akufo-Addo noted that, culturally, as Africans, “our history is orally taught” and if no one continues to tell the stories or pass them down, whether by stories or visuals, they will be lost.
According to her, Ghanaians are growing very fast in a modernity state where “you’re able to get anything by your phone, but unable to get an attitude, sense of person and a sense of culture, hence the project seeks to address this.”
“We’re trying to bring back our ancestral importance in a very simple way to put it in the public,” she added.
Phases
She said the project, which is in five phases, started from the Ako Adjei interchange and includes Tetteh Qurashie, Nkrumah and others.
“It is a spark in the light of a surprise element,” she said.
The Creative Arts Council, which initiated the project, was established to provide a platform that brings artists and government together, to help equip artists with the tools to be able to “go to the market” whether it is—employability tools, knowledge, financial support—to empower them to compete globally.
The project, which is a regeneration of ancient and cultural memories, includes the artists from virtual arts association and Accra Arts Dot.Org, with each group having its contingencies within themselves, and in total 43 artists.
Proud project
She said the project is one that is dear to her heart.
“With all the artists that have been involved, from the workshop, from the present associations, from people who lead their separate associations, to the artists on the ground, today have come together so collaboratively, positively, and have come together and in a way that is so strong and unified that we all have a common goal of making our city very beautiful,” she said.
Source: Daily Statesman
