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The Chalewote Arts Festival 2024 Experience

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The Chale Wote Street Art Festival also known as Chale Wote, is an annual street festival in Accra, Ghana. The festival targets exchanges between scores of local and international artists and patrons. “Wote” in the Ga language means “let’s go”. Since 2011, CHALE WOTE has included street painting, graffiti murals, photography, theater shows, spoken word, interactive art installations, live performances, sports, film shows, and other activities. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chale_Wote_Street_Art_Festival)

The Chalewote Arts Festival for 2024 took place from August 19 to August 25 in Accra, Ghana, marking its 14th edition. This year’s festival was themed “And Now An End To The Empire Of Horrors,” drawing inspiration from the deep history of Africa, particularly focusing on the Gulf of Guinea’s tales of gods, both fantastic and mortal, which serve as allegories for the social conditions under colonialism. Here’s a rundown of what happened during the festival:

The festival commenced with a ‘Day of ReMembering’ procession on August 19 through the Osu township, highlighting a solemn start to the event. This procession was not just a parade but a significant cultural and artistic statement, engaging with the community’s history and current social fabric. The ‘Day of ReMembering’ procession is an intergenerational activity that brings together the young and old in a collective act of honouring and remembering.

For children, it offers a chance to learn silent history due to hegemonic dominance, while for older generations, it serves as a time to reflect on revered memories. This procession fosters a sense of continuity and shared heritage. It provides for mobile storytelling and knowledge-making from one generation to the next.

IN PICS: THE ”Day of ReMembering’ procession

  • Artistic Displays and Events: Throughout the festival, various activities were held, including the opening of the Shika Shika Art Fair, performances by local and international artists, film screenings, and discussions. The festival emphasized art education, with workshops and knowledge-sharing labs aimed at children and youth, promoting a deeper understanding of art and culture.

  • Location: The event took place in Osu, which has become the new venue for Chalewote, moving from its previous location in Jamestown. This shift to Osu, one of Accra’s oldest neighborhoods, added a new layer of historical and cultural context to the festival’s activities.
  • Media Coverage and Public Engagement: The festival received extensive media coverage, with The Multimedia Group serving as the official media partner. This partnership ensured comprehensive coverage, bringing the festival’s vibrancy to a broader audience. Public engagement was high, with thousands attending, indicating the festival’s growing popularity and significance.
  • Cultural Significance: Chalewote 2024 not only celebrated art but also served as a platform for cultural dialogue, exploring themes of rebirth, resistance, and the reclaiming of cultural narratives. The festival’s activities, from street art to performances, were designed to engage the community and visitors in a conversation about history, identity, and future aspirations.
  • Artistic Freedom and Expression: Artists were given the freedom to express themes related to the festival’s overarching narrative, leading to a rich tapestry of visual and performing arts that challenged and entertained in equal measure.

This year’s Chale Wote Street Art Festival continued its tradition of transforming public spaces into vibrant canvases of cultural expression, drawing thousands of participants and spectators, both local and international, to celebrate and engage with Ghanaian and African art and culture

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Veteran Ghanaian Gospel Singer Yaw Sarpong Dead

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Veteran gospel musician Yaw Sarpong
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The veteran Ghanaian gospel singer Yaw Sarpong has passed on at age of 66.

The legendary musician, widely regarded as a pioneer in Ghanaian gospel music, died on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Emena Hospital in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, where he had been receiving treatment for prolonged health issues.

His manager, Nana Poku Ashis, confirmed the news, Yaw Sarpong had been battling ill health for several years, including complications from a stroke he suffered around early 2024 (with some reports noting issues since 2023). His condition had been public, with images and videos of his frail state circulating online in recent times.

Yaw Sarpong was the founder and leader of the iconic Asomafo Gospel Group (also known as Yaw Sarpong and Asomafo), which produced timeless classics blending traditional highlife with spiritual themes. Hits like “Wo Haw Ne Sen” and others from over 25 albums across more than four decades made him a beloved figure, influencing generations of gospel artists in Ghana and beyond.

His music bridged cultural sounds with worship, earning him immense respect in the Christian community and the broader music industry.

RIP wofa Yaw Sarpong

This loss comes just weeks after the death of Maame Tiwaa (also known as Maame Tiwa), a longtime key vocalist and collaborator in the Asomafo group, who passed away in December 2025. The back-to-back bereavements have left Ghana’s gospel fraternity in deep mourning. Tributes are pouring in across social media and news platforms, with many Ghanaians expressing grief and celebrating his enduring legacy of faith, healing, and inspiration through song.

 

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

 

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Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams on Weddings and Debt

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Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams
'Have GH¢100,000 or don’t wed': Duncan-Williams slams lavish weddings, urges couples to marry without debt
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Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the founder and leader of Action Chapel International, has sparked widespread discussion in Ghana with his recent sermon criticizing lavish weddings and calling for financial prudence before marriage.

In a viral video from his sermon (shared widely on January 12, 2026), he stated that couples—particularly the groom—should be discouraged from holding elaborate weddings unless the man can prove he has at least GH¢100,000 in savings in his bank account. His key message: Starting a marriage in debt sets a poor foundation and leads to unnecessary stress.

He explained:

“If the man cannot prove that at least he has GH¢100,000 in his bank account, he shouldn’t have a wedding. You don’t want to begin your marriage with debt. You go on honeymoon, and the phone starts ringing. Someone who supplied the chairs is calling, and another who provided the drinks is asking for money. Before you realise it, your ability to function is gone.”

The Archbishop emphasized that marriage is not the same as a wedding—the focus should be on long-term stability, not one-day extravagance. He criticized the pressure to host expensive “white weddings” and receptions, especially for young couples with limited means, noting that guests often end up criticizing rather than supporting the union.

As an alternative, he suggested simpler options like church-based mass weddings (multiple couples at once) with no receptions, bridal parties, or elaborate displays—just rings, blessings, and then couples can “go home, make love, make babies, [and] live your life.

“This isn’t the first time he’s addressed the topic; he gave similar advice in 2025 against borrowing for lavish events, even sharing his own early marriage experience under societal pressure.

The statement has gone viral, with media outlets like GhanaWeb, Graphic Online, and YEN.com.gh covering it extensively, and many Ghanaians debating it on social media. Some agree it’s practical advice against wasteful spending, while others see it as too strict or one-sided (e.g., focusing mainly on the man’s finances).

What do you think—does this GH¢100,000 threshold make sense in today’s Ghana, or is it too high? Weddings can be meaningful without breaking the bank!

 

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Ghana Designs Epic Challenge Pack for IShowSpeed’s Africa Tour

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IShowSpeed
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As the high-energy American streamer (Darren Watkins Jr.) continues his massive 28-day, 20-country adventure across the continent—kicking off late December 2025 and running into January 2026—Ghana’s tourism authorities and fans are ready to deliver an unforgettable “challenge pack” packed with adventure, culture, and pure chaos that perfectly matches Speed’s wild style.

The Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Abeiku Santana, just dropped this lineup on X, challenging Speed to take it all on when he hits Ghana.

Here’s the ultimate Ghana challenge pack that’s going viral:

  • Speed with elephants at Mole National Park – getting up close with these gentle giants!
  • Test courage at Paga Crocodile Pond – walk among real crocodiles (yes, really!)
  • Run the Kakum Canopy Walkway – high above the rainforest on swaying bridges
  • Climb to the top of Wli Waterfalls, the highest in West Africa – epic views and a serious work out!
  • Pull the legendary Okomfo Anokye sword – the mythical sword stuck in stone that no one can remove (legend says only the chosen one can… is Speed the one?

IShowSpeed gears up for Ghana tour

Ghana is positioning itself as the adventure capital for Speed’s tour, blending adrenaline-pumping activities with rich culture to blow his mind (and his stream views!). Speed has already created madness in places like Angola (pull-up fails and races), South Africa (cheetah races and spinning cars), Zimbabwe (cow balls challenge), and Kenya (bus takeovers and massive crowds). Ghana is next-level ready to top it all.

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