Entertainment
Lost art: COVID-19’s devastating impact on Ghana’s arts
The role of artists is to express themselves and tell a certain truth about their society in their work.
Art does, and always will, offer insights into who we are and what we are experiencing, as individuals and as a society as a whole.
But art is a money-making venture, and with the world effectively at a standstill, gallerists, dealers, and the artists they represent are essentially operating without one of their greatest sales tools, that is the human connection.
With the COVID-19 pandemic in place, the conventional process of communicating an artist’s vision and enticing collectors, institutions, and gallery goers to buy into it both figuratively and literally has been dormant.
In an interview, Mr. Philip Opuni, a fine artist at the Kumasi Cultural Centre in the Ashanti Region, said the pandemic had shuttered his business
“The principal effect, of course, is not being able to be present physically in front of a piece of work,” he said.
He again said that, visiting the museums, galleries, and having studio visits with artists and interacting with artwork personally was integral to the industry, especially during traumatic moments.
He said that, moments like the one we are in now, ie rising unemployment, instability, and uncertainty, could have an effect. “Many are less concerned with starting or building collections than they are with securing the basic necessities in order to survive.”
“I am not worried about the negative impact of COVID-19 on art, I am, however, worried of the people who count on a functioning art industry to make ends meet and whose livelihood is dependent on museums, galleries being open, on shows being guarded, maintenance being performed, art works being shipped, and sales being made,” he added.
One Mr. Harrison also said, artists were concerned with how long this pandemic was going to last, especially as social distancing was a serious impediment to the process of production.
He said, mass job losses, venue closures and most significantly, the threat of contracting the disease were factors that the art industry wasn’t prepared to face. “The economic hardship might have similarities, but the effect on how we look at art, and how we function as an art community has fundamentally changed,” Mr. Harrison explained.
Ms. Philomina Awudu, an artist at the Tamale Cultural Centre said, the pandemic was changing the way we valued art, which is the biggest question we do not have an answer to.
There is a world where by looking only digitally at art, I can imagine lasting effects on the perception and taste of art. One can ask: Will artwork that is virtual dictate our taste?
“Will it determine the trajectory of the art of the future?”, she asked.
She said, the outbreak of COVID-19 had also led to deeper introspection. Artists, by and large, were required to hit the pause bottom, which revealed a sense of clarity that perhaps wouldn’t have been apparent if the industry continued business as usual.
Reporters, political pundits, health experts, and commentators are all spewing facts and figures, debating over the right course of action to take to move the nation forward. Artists, on the other hand, have the ability to offer a different kind of vision of the future.
Ms Philomina said, “Art is the soul of any civilised society, and I love my part in it; but I am no expert in the business of art, only creating mine, but the current state of the art world, like that weekend at various cultural centres in the country, is cloudy.”
From Geoffrey Buta, Kumasi.
The iconic movie writer, director, and actress Schelle Purcell, who played the landlady role in Tyler Perry’s Netflix blockbuster, Straw, was given a warm welcome by authorities and students of the North Legon Little Campus on Tuesday September 23, 2025.
With her friends Dr. Muriam Cinevert, bestselling author of Girl Just Show Up, and Dr. Shaneque Metellus, an autism advocate, the three for the first time visited Ghana to participate in the International Ladies High Tea & Awards hosted by RAIN Foundations.
Actress Schelle Purcell encouraged the students of North Legon Little Campus to believe in themselves, focus on learning to become their best, and determine to make their families, nation, and the world proud.
Answering questions from the students, she shared with them why she believed Tyler Perry’s Straw was one of his best movies yet. She explained that all over the world, many could identify with the struggles of Taraji in the movie. “Many have cried after watching Straw,” she said.
Dr. Cinevert, the women empowerment and self-esteem coach encouraged the children to be confident. She urged them not to let anybody make them feel less of themselves.
Dr. Metellus took her turn in encouraging the children to work on their mental health. She advised them to always talk to somebody in times of mental or emotional struggles.
The Director of the school, Mr. Douglas Djabeng Esq. thanked the founding president of RAIN Foundations, Author Ralph Antwi, for leading the team to visit the school. He admonished the children to continue to excel in both academics and sports as has been the hallmark of the school.
North Legon Little Campus (NLLC) is a fully-accredited British curriculum school that admits students from 1 to 19 years old. It is one of the model schools in Ghana that runs the Cambridge Primary and IGCSE programmes.
The National Sports Authority (NSA) has warned that Sarkodie will not be allowed to host his Rapaholic concert on the football pitch of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Director-General of the NSA, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, said the pitch is strictly reserved for football and other sports activities.
He warned that any unauthorized use of the field during the concert would attract serious penalties, including heavy compensation.
Mr. Ankrah explained that while the Baba Yara Stadium has been approved as the venue, Sarkodie’s stage and sound systems will be positioned behind the goalpost to protect the playing surface.
He said all measures have been put in place to ensure the pitch is not damaged.
He further disclosed that the NSA is in the process of acquiring pitch covers to make it easier to host non-sporting events without compromising the playing field.
The NSA boss also revealed that several churches and organizations had offered as much as GHS 300,000 to use the pitch, but the requests were rejected. According to him, protecting the grounds for domestic and international football is a top priority.
Mr. Ankrah stressed that although the Authority permits the use of stadium facilities for events, the football pitch itself cannot be used for performances or entertainment.
He concluded that if any condition is breached during Sarkodie’s concert, strict sanctions will follow.
By: Jacob Aggrey
