Ghanaian, Sierra Leonean and German artists are set to come together for GERGHANSAL 2027, an international art exhibition aimed at promoting African creativity and strengthening cultural ties between Africa and Europe.

Scheduled to take place from April 9 to May 10, 2027, the exhibition will be held under the theme “Bridging Cultures Through Art” and will create a platform for artists from the three countries to showcase their work, engage in cultural exchange and connect with audiences and opportunities within the international art market.

Boye and Bempong will be among the Ghanaian artists carrying the country’s artistic representation to Germany, with their participation expected to contribute to the exhibition’s broader objective of placing African creativity before international audiences.

The exhibition is being organised as an African led cultural initiative aimed at strengthening artistic and cultural ties between Africa and Europe while creating opportunities for artists to exhibit, network, participate in workshops and explore international collaborations.

Speaking at a press briefing, Project Coordinator for Europe, Abdul Fadul Kamara, said the initiative was established to promote African art internationally while encouraging Africans to take a leading role in the presentation and promotion of their own creative works.

“The main motive is to promote African art in Düsseldorf in Germany. We are now trying to establish it in Africa in a way that we bring it to the African people. The main motive is to shine a light on the artwork of African art in Africa itself,” he said.

Mr Kamara said the organisers were seeking partnerships and sponsorship from institutions, businesses and individuals to support different aspects of the programme, including workshops that will allow African artists to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with audiences in Düsseldorf.

“We are looking for partners who can be part of the GERGHANSAL exhibition in Düsseldorf. We need assistance in every sector because we have artists here in Africa, so we want them to do workshops in Düsseldorf. We are looking for any partner that can partner with us so that we can reach our goal,” he said.

Project Coordinator for Africa, Kwasi Owusu-Afrifa, said the participation of artists from Germany, Ghana and Sierra Leone was intended to create a common platform through which cultural relationships between Africa and Europe could be strengthened.

“From Germany, Ghana and Sierra Leone on the common platform, our aim is to bridge the gap between Africa and Europe through art,” he said.

He also called for greater institutional support for Ghanaian artists seeking to take their work to international audiences, noting that the creative sector deserved similar attention when opportunities for international representation were being considered.

“The artists also deserve better, and it’s about time government also channel its energy through arts by way of supporting artists from Ghana,” he said.

The participation of Edwin Adokwei Boye and Putin Ofori Bempong gives Ghana a direct presence in the exhibition and places their artistic works within a wider cultural exchange involving artists and audiences from Africa and Europe.

Beyond the exhibition of artworks, GERGHANSAL 2027 is expected to create opportunities for sales, commissions, professional networking, workshops and mentorship, while providing participating artists with opportunities to build relationships beyond their respective countries.

The organisers are therefore calling on government agencies, tourism stakeholders, businesses, cultural institutions, the media, art collectors and individuals to support the initiative and help strengthen Ghana’s participation in the international art space.

GERGHANSAL 2027 is also expected to attract Africans living in the diaspora, art enthusiasts and members of the wider international creative community to Düsseldorf as the participating artists use art to encourage cultural dialogue and build stronger connections between Africa and Europe.

With Edwin Adokwei Boye and Putin Ofori Bempong representing Ghana, the exhibition is set to give Ghanaian art a platform in Düsseldorf while contributing to a wider conversation about African creativity, cultural identity and international collaboration.

By Bawa Musah