Four Word Story: Chale Wote Street Art Festival

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Walking through the streets of Jamestown was so different on April 14. It

wasn’t a normal Saturday afternoon for me. It was one that gave me a lot of

inspiration. It was the second edition of the Chale Wote Street Art

Festival.

The festival celebrates the vibrant art traditions of urban life from

visual media, experimental theater, and dance installations to extreme

sports. It’s a very “young” festival since most people in the country

aren’t aware of it.

For those of you who don’t know, chale simply means “friend” in Ghana and

“wote” is a Ga word meaning “let’s go.” When you put both words together,

you have “friend, let’s go” and that’s certainly what happened when I

decided to go to the festival with some friends.

The Chale Wote street art festival taught me a few things….

#1 Chale, there are talented people in Ghana.

It was very easy to see talent all around. I was astonished at how some

young guys could paint. Did I say guys? Maybe I am supposed to say boys.

The streets of Jamestown were painted. Some were done on wood and hung

along the roadside. There were guys on skates doing dangerous tricks and

they were incredible even though I feared for them most of the time. Don’t

mind me…. I am just like that when it comes to people’s safety and health.

There was a musical concert in the evening. There were some technical

hitches but that didn’t stop the event.



#2 It’s time for Ghanaians to embrace Ghanaian stuff

I am a huge fan of African fabrics, bracelets, shoes etc. I find it

astonishing when people ask me sometimes why I wear them. You will never

find me going “Britain” throughout the week. A few weeks ago, I was working

at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and decided to pass by the Cultural

Centre to get a new African-printed bag. There was an exhibition so the

stuff was pretty affordable. Unsurprisingly, I met more foreigners than

Africans or Ghanaians. I really don’t know why we don’t like our own stuff.

I don’t know why we don’t write our own stories. I don’t know why we don’t

promote our own culture. I don’t know why we don’t love ourselves enough to

love our own things.

At the Chale Wote Street Art Festival, you could see foreigners more

enthused about Ghanaian dresses, bracelets, anklets, necklaces than the

citizens. They love stuff made in Ghana… while we cherish those made in

China. I just implore my fellow Ghanaians to love Ghanaian stuff a bit.

Chale, the country is for us oo…. We are the only ones who can make it

better.

#3 There’s another fun thing in Ghana and this time…. It’s free.

Christmas, Easter, Independence Day… oh let me take out Independence Day.

It’s really celebrated by the Ghanaians abroad. Those of us over here don’t

care about it, right? If yes, I believe there is only one thing that gets

Ghanaians excited…. Football or let me say “The Black Stars.” That’s the

only time the nation goes agog especially after a victory. The Chale Wote

festival is another opportunity for many Ghanaians who want to have fun but

have limited options.



#4 Chale, we are gradually placing Ghana on the world map.

Ever heard of the group, Generik

Vapeur from

France? Yeah, they were there and that was the climax of the festival for

me. They are usually called the “Blue Men” and they brought more fun to the

festival. Having such a group at the festival meant a lot to Ghana and the

organizers. Tourists visit the country each and every day. Soon, Ghana will

be on the list of Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries to visit. We can do it

and we must. Check out more

incrediblephotos

by Nana Kofi Acquah on his blog.



Big ups again to Accra [dot] Alt and

the French Embassy for making it happen this year too.

I hope to see you next year at the festival. Can Ghana be the top country

to visit? Let’s hear from you.