Reclaiming Africa’s story: Ghana’s art renaissance

Curator Adora Mbe is transforming the art scene in Ghana, a West African nation, by creating space for African artists to thrive in the global market

ACCRA, Ghana (MNTV) – In Ghana, a West African country rich in culture and history, art curator Adora Mbe is on a mission to put African art on the world map.

Her ADA gallery, based in the capital city Accra, is not just an exhibition space—it is a movement reclaiming Africa’s creative identity from Western dominance.

Mbe, who spent years in the U.K, returned to Ghana after realizing how disconnected African art was from the international market.

She saw how Ghana’s immense creative talent often went unnoticed or was forced to migrate due to a lack of local infrastructure.

Determined to change this, she founded ADA, a contemporary art gallery that meets global standards while staying true to African artistic expression.

Her impact has been profound. Ghana’s once-overlooked art industry is now growing, with more galleries opening and local artists finding reasons to stay.

“From almost nothing, we now have a thriving art market,” Mbe told Qatar-based TV channel Al Jazeera in an interview.

But her journey hasn’t been without challenges.

As a Black African woman in a Western-dominated art world, she faces barriers, yet remains steadfast in her mission: to showcase African artistry on its own terms.

“For too long, African art has been defined by Western narratives. It’s time we tell our own stories,” she asserts.

Through her passion and persistence, Adora Mbe is not just displaying African art—she is ensuring Africa reclaims its rightful place in the global art scene.