Renowned Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama has been honoured as a Laureate at the second edition of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to contemporary visual arts in Ghana and internationally.
The awards ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Otumfuo Golden Jubilee Hall within the Manhyia Palace.
Mahama, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, Red Clay and Nkrumah Voli-ni, was recognised for his role in advancing African contemporary art and creating platforms that support artistic development and cultural preservation.
The event brought together more than 500 participants, including local and international dignitaries, university vice chancellors, artists, curators and representatives of global cultural institutions.
The awards ceremony was organised by the Manhyia Palace Museum in collaboration with UNESCO and Justice and Repairs to honour distinguished artists and curators from Ghana, Britain and Seychelles for their contributions to contemporary art and cultural heritage.
Other award recipients included installation artist and painter Yaw Owusu, painters Victor Butler and Larry Otoo, portrait artist Afia Prempeh, Seychelles contemporary artist Leon Raddegonde, African Curator at the British Museum Julie Hudson, and curator Osei Bonsu.
Organisers said the awards programme will run for 10 years and focus on recognising local and international artists whose works continue to shape contemporary African art.
According to organisers, the selection process involved both Ghanaian and international jury members to ensure credibility and global relevance.
The initiative seeks to celebrate excellence, innovation and artistic achievement while promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage on the global stage.
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards was launched in May 2025 by the Manhyia Palace Museum to celebrate traditional and modern visual arts across Africa and beyond.
Its inaugural edition, known as the Kings Art Prize, honoured 10 legendary African artists and was widely regarded as a major milestone in Pan-African cultural appreciation and the promotion of African artistic heritage.
