Ghana mural row heats up
A community art initiative to paint interchanges in Ghana—led by Gyankroma Akufo‑Addo with donated paints from Coral Paints and artists’ time—has exploded into a public controversy with false claims that the project paid $25M and insults aimed at organizers ( ). One linked post by @Gen_Buhari_ pulled measurable traction — 708 likes, 102 reposts and 57K views — as the debate over public art, patronage and transparency escalates online (x.com).
Gyankroma Akufo‑Addo issued a formal statement on November 2–3, 2022 calling the payment allegations a “complete fabrication” and saying she had instructed lawyers to seek legal redress. (graphic.com.gh: ) Her Creative Arts Agency said the initiative was conceived in August 2018 under the banner “Art for All” and that the sites were “conceived, managed, and financially undertaken” through the agency’s own fundraising activities. (ghanaweb.com: ) The agency identified three project sites by name—Ako Adjei, Tetteh Quarshie and a third unnamed location—and disclosed distinct funders: Ako Adjei by private‑sector sponsors, Tetteh Quarshie paid for by Gyankroma personally, and the third supported by Ben Asante, CEO of Ghana Gas. (graphic.com.gh: ) Organisers said each interchange followed a structured six‑week workshop process to select themes, locations and artists before painting began. (graphic.com.gh: ) In her statement Gyankroma reiterated the project was not undertaken to generate profit and vowed to pursue court action against “persons and media houses” that published the allegations. (myjoyonline.com: ) The episode drew parallel coverage across multiple Ghanaian outlets — Graphic Online, Joy Online, GhanaWeb and Daily Guide all published the agency’s response — intensifying the online debate and prompting the public statement. (graphic.com.gh: myjoyonline.com: ghanaweb.com: dailyguidenetwork.com: )
