125 things to do in Accra and Ghana • Art and exhibitions

This is one of the original workshops for the fantasy coffins that are now collected and exhibited as contemporary art all over the world. Caskets shaped like birds, fish, aeroplanes, shoes, beer bottles, cars and anything else that stretches the imagination are displayed as pieces of art, and sometimes sold as miniatures.

This multi-faceted workshop-cum-art-shop emporium is foremost a workshop employing artisans who produce characteristically Ghanaian and West African goods. It’s brimming with handmade art objects, collectables, homewares, furniture, handbags, musical instruments and other design products, many created through humanitarian projects in Ghana. 

The hugely respected Ghanaian artist Ablade Glover established this renowned arts venue, which has become one of the most important of its kind in Ghana. There are three expansive floors of art displayed in cool marble galleries. Some are by established artists, such as Owusu Ankomah and George Hughes, whose paintings are reminiscent of Jean Michel Basquiat and Willem De Kooning, while others are by new and upcoming artists like Ebenezer Borlabie. 

Gallery 1957 is a new gallery with a curatorial focus on contemporary Ghanaian art presenting a programme of exhibitions, installations and performances by the country’s most significant artists. 

Loom’s Frances Ademola has a popular gallery that exhibits paintings and sculptures by a good selection of Ghana’s foremost artists, with a smattering of expressive Nigerian pieces. The modest space has been here since 1969, and is bursting at the seams with the work of nearly 100 artists. 

The Nubuke Foundation is one of the most important art galleries in the city, dedicated to Ghanaian visual art, culture and heritage. It was set up to provide an artistic space for Ghanaian artists to show off their talents. It also holds vibrant cultural offerings such as poetry evenings, Saturday workshops, art walks, film and music. 

Artists take to James Town’s streets for this vibrant alfresco art festival that spans acrylic street painting, stencil work, side walk painting, chalk art and vast graffiti murals. Past events have also featured large art installations and photography displays, as well as live music, DJ sets and theatre and spoken word performances. The festival takes place along High Street James Town between the Light House down to Ussher Fort. One of the best events of the year.

Along the seafront near Black Star Square is the Arts Centre. Hawkers attack from all sides as soon as you arrive, but if you’re not exhausted by the scrum you can find carvings, baskets, drums, bags, beads, fabrics, sandals, sculptures, stools, rugs and occasionally antiques. Haggling is expected. There’s also an art gallery, which sells prints and paintings at reasonable prices.

This German cultural centre has now been established in Ghana for more than 50 years and offers an impressive array of musical events, art exhibitions, dance and film nights. There’s also a pleasant bar in the grounds. 

Temporarily closed

The National Museum is home to some of Ghana’s most absorbing historical finds. This museum gives you an opportunity to travel through the country’s history from both an archaeological and ethnographic perspective.