The Manhyia Palace Museum, in partnership with UNESCO, has announced the eight laureates for the 2026 Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards.
This year’s winners represent a diverse group of artistic talent, comprising five Ghanaians, two British nationals, and one artist from Seychelles.
The honourees are: Ibrahim Mahama, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, Red Clay, and the Nkrumah Violin Institute in Tamale; Yaw Owusu, an installation artist and painter based in New York; painters Victor Butler and Larry Otoo; portrait artist Afia Prempeh; Leon Raddegonde, a pioneering contemporary artist from Seychelles; Julie Hudson, African Curator at the British Museum; and curator Osei Bonsu.
The awards, now in their second edition, are designed to celebrate excellence, innovation, and contributions to contemporary art, while simultaneously promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage on the global stage.
The official unveiling of the laureates took place at the launch of the awards in Accra on Saturday. During the event, a collaboration agreement was signed between UNESCO and the Manhyia Palace Museum to deepen cooperation in promoting artistic excellence and safeguarding cultural heritage.
Ceremony and Activities
The main awards ceremony is scheduled for May 15 at the Osei Tutu II Auditorium at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, preceded by a laureates’ dinner on May 14.
As part of the festivities, exhibitions showcasing the works of the laureates will be held at both the Osei Tutu II Auditorium and the Golden Bean Hotel, with each exhibition running for two weeks. The programme will also feature the unveiling of a commemorative booklet and an exhibition honouring Hungarian artist Helene Urszenyi-Breznay, renowned for her historic portraits of figures such as Kwame Nkrumah and Martin Luther King Jr.
Selection and Global Recognition
Ivor Agyeman-Duah, Director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, explained that the selection process was conducted independently by a panel of Ghanaian and international jury members to ensure credibility and global relevance. He noted that the awards recognise not only artistic production but also contributions to curatorial practice and museum development.
UNESCO Representative to Ghana, Edmond Moukala, praised the awards as a global benchmark for integrating culture into sustainable development. He stated that the initiative, championed by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, demonstrates a strong commitment to empowering artists—particularly youth and women—while preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Mr. Moukala added that the collaboration highlights the evolving role of museums as active contributors to the creative economy. He noted that the awards align with UNESCO’s 1970 Convention against illicit trafficking of cultural property and the 2005 Convention on the protection and promotion of cultural diversity, ensuring that Ghanaian art is protected, documented, and globally recognised.
Government Support
Divine Kwame Owusu-Ansah, Director for Culture and Creative Arts at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, who spoke on behalf of the ministry, assured organisers of the government’s full support for the awards ceremony.
