For the first time, the festival shifted its venue to Osu, one of Accra’s oldest neighborhoods dating back to the early 19th century. Osu, a vital part of the city’s commercial and cultural landscape, boasts a rich history rooted in the settlement of Ga fishermen in the late 18th century. The iconic Osu Castle, built by the Danish in the 17th century, stands as a testament to the community’s historical significance.

The festival’s new perimeter at the Black Star Square in Osu featured open-air mural exhibitions by leading Ghanaian and international artists. The artwork drew inspiration from the rebellion of enslaved Afro-Brazilians in 1835 Salvador Bahia and their triumphant return to present-day Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria. The narrative unfolded as a musical theatre piece titled “MEMORY MOVEMENT FREEDOM,” performed by community-based performance groups, dance troupes, and brass bands.

Highlights of the festival included live murals by the Ghanaian art collective AFUABE, detailing the Gold Coast’s resistance against colonial invasions. The program encompassed performance art, graffiti, music stages featuring 120 musicians and bands, LABS, salons, design, photography, processions, street theater, and the SHIKA SHIKA Art Fair, showcasing independent artists at the Christianborg Castle.

Chale Wote Street Art Festival also incorporated the Chale Wote Film LABS and knowledge-sharing salons, offering digital art and photography training sessions. The festival provided an opportunity for visitors to book walking tours exploring historical sites and buildings within the Osu community.

The globally acclaimed Highlife Café made its debut at the Black Star Square, complemented by the Accra Cookout, serving the city’s favorite dishes and unique delicacies. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Ghana Tourism Authority, and other partners, the Chale Wote Street Art Festival at the Black Star Square and Christianborg Castle became an unforgettable multi-disciplinary art experience, bringing together the industry’s biggest acts and fostering a deeper connection to independent art production in Africa.

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