2nd Edition of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards - Laureates Announced and Partnership Pact Signed with UNESCO Ghana
The Manhyia Palace Museum is pleased to announce the official signing of a partnership pact with UNESCO. This landmark collaboration agreement, formalised during the launch of the 2nd edition of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards in Accra, strengthens cooperation in promoting artistic excellence, safeguarding cultural heritage, and advancing the creative economy.
As part of this initiative, the Museum is proud to officially announce the laureates of the 2nd Edition of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards for 2026. Instituted by the Manhyia Palace Museum in collaboration with UNESCO, the awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and outstanding contributions to contemporary art while elevating Ghana’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
At the press conference, the Director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, Ivor Agyeman-Duah disclosed that eight (8) artists – comprising five Ghanaians, two British nationals, and one Seychellois – have been selected following a rigorous, independent jury process involving both Ghanaian and international experts. The awards recognize not only artistic production but also curatorial practice and museum development.
The 2026 Laureates are:
- Ibrahim Mahama (Ghanaian) – founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, Red Clay and the Nkrumah Violin in Tamale.
- Victor Butler (British) – Painter
- Julie Hudson (British) – African Curator at the British Museum.
- Osei Bonsu (Ghanaian) – Curator.
- Afia Prempeh (Ghanaian) – Portrait artist.
- Leon Raddegonde (Seychellois) – First contemporary artist from Seychelles.
- Yaw Owusu (Ghanaian) – Installation artist and Painter based in New York.
- Larry Otoo (Ghanaian) – Painter.
The awards ceremony will be held in Kumasi, with a Laureates’ Dinner on 14th May 2026, followed by the main awards event on 15th May 2026 at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Auditorium, Manhyia Palace.
As part of the programme, exhibitions featuring the laureates’ works will run for two weeks at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Auditorium and the Golden Bean Hotel. The programme will also include the unveiling of a commemorative booklet and a special exhibition honouring the Hungarian artist Helene Urszenyi-Breznay, renowned for her historic portraits of figures such as Kwame Nkrumah and Martin Luther King Jr.
UNESCO Representative to Ghana, Mr. Edmond Moukala, described the awards as “a global benchmark for integrating culture into sustainable development.” He commended the vision of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for empowering artists – particularly youth and women – and positioning museums as dynamic contributors to the creative economy. The partnership aligns with UNESCO’s 1970 Convention against illicit trafficking of cultural property and the 2005 Convention on the promotion of cultural diversity, ensuring Ghanaian art is protected, documented and globally recognised.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Director for Culture and Creative Arts, Divine Kwame Owusu-Ansah, gave an assurance that the ministry would give unflinching support to the awards ceremony.