Every year the Chale Wote Street Art Festival transforms Accra into one of the biggest cultural hubs in West Africa. From August 12- 21, 2022 the streets of Jamestown came to life as festival goers and events filled the streets. The festival attracts creatives from around the world to experience the coming together of art, culture and creativity like not other. The theme this year was ‘Stargate to Africa’. Festival organizers said that the theme draws indigenous artistic expressions into an interaction with orature. “Stargate to Africa represents a shift from the regimented understanding of African supernatural beliefs and ritual,” as said in an official statement from the festival. The idea is to use art as a way to create a more “empathetic Pan-African consciousness.”

This year’s festival was highly anticipated after being scaled down the last two years because of the global covid-19 pandemic. The community was excited because the festival livens up the community and gives creatives the opportunity to share their work with the world. In its 11th year, Chale Wote is said to attract over 45,000 people to participate and drives local business. “The festival has been transformative for the over 10,000 businesses that have benefited from the festival activities,” said Mantse Areequaye, Festival Director. He also noted how it’s created jobs and opportunities for the community each year.

Over 200 artists from Ghana and internationally participated in the event which included street artists, graffiti murals, performance art, photo exhibitions, fashion, a marketplace for vendors, skate shows, boxing, sports, music performances, a block party and an African Cinema pavilion.

By: Ivy Prosper