Patrick William Dodoo honoured at Forty Under 40 Ghana Awards

Recognition can sometimes signal more than individual achievement; it can reflect a broader shift in how a nation values creativity. That was evident when Patrick William Dodoo received the Theatre and Arts award at the Forty Under 40 Ghana Awards.

Patrick shared the stage with fellow awardee Chichi Yakubu (Lady Nyonyo), emphasising that the award was not an endpoint. “This is not the finish line. This is momentum. We continue to build. We continue to serve. We continue to win,” he said, signalling his focus on the work still ahead.

The Forty Under 40 Ghana Awards celebrates young leaders across sectors including technology, agriculture, finance, media, and social enterprise. Patrick’s recognition highlights the growing acknowledgment of the arts as a key driver of cultural, social, and economic development in Ghana.

Patrick’s work is instantly recognisable. His black-and-white portraits set against bold, vivid backgrounds capture the dignity of elders, the tenderness of children, and the everyday presence of ordinary people. His compositions balance clarity with depth, speaking to both Ghanaian identity and universal human experience. Collectors are drawn not only to the striking aesthetic but to the stories of identity, resilience, and belonging embedded in each piece.

Beyond galleries, Patrick makes art accessible through Painting In The Open (PITO), creating in public spaces and inviting community participation. As CEO of Arttricks Ghana Limited, he uses art as a platform for dialogue, awareness, and empowerment. His academic foundation at Takoradi Polytechnic and the University of Education, Winneba sharpened both his technique and his understanding of art as a tool for education. Today, his influence reaches studios, classrooms, streets, and galleries, inspiring young artists and demonstrating that excellence from Africa is both visible and globally relevant.

For emerging creatives, Patrick’s story offers both reassurance and challenge: reassurance that their voices matter, and a challenge to remain disciplined, intentional, and fearless in originality. For collectors and institutions, it is a call to recognize Ghana’s contemporary art sector as vibrant, socially engaged, and worthy of global attention.

Patrick signs off with three words: Grateful. Focused. Forward. These words reflect a philosophy of purpose, discipline, and impact, and his award confirms that when art is rooted in intention, it can transcend borders, build opportunities, and inspire the next generation.