Kumasi: The second edition of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Otumfuo Golden Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace. The prestigious event is anticipated to attract over 500 participants, including local and international dignitaries, university vice-chancellors, artists, curators, and representatives of international agencies.
According to Ghana Web, the awards ceremony is being organised by the Manhyia Palace Museum in collaboration with UNESCO and Justice and Repairs. It aims to honour eight distinguished artists from Ghana, the United Kingdom, and Seychelles for their contributions to contemporary art and cultural heritage. This initiative is part of efforts to elevate African creativity on a global platform while preserving indigenous artistic traditions.
The artists to be honoured include Ibrahim Mahama, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, Red Clay Studio, and Nkrumah Voli-ni in Tamale; installation artist and painter Yaw Owusu; painters Victor Butler and Larry Otoo; and portrait artist Afia Prempeh. Also recognised are Seychelles' first contemporary artist, Leon Raddegonde; African Curator at the British Museum, Julie Hudson; and curator Osei Bonsu.
The announcement was made by the Director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, Ivor Agyeman-Duah, during a press conference held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. Agyeman-Duah highlighted that the awards programme will span ten years, focusing on recognising both local and international artists whose works influence contemporary African art.
Agyeman-Duah stated that the selection of awardees followed an independent process involving both Ghanaian and international jury members to ensure credibility and global relevance. He emphasized that the awards acknowledge not just artistic production but also curatorial practice and museum development. The awards aim to celebrate excellence, innovation, and artistic achievement while promoting Ghana's cultural heritage internationally.
He further noted that the awards are intended to honour dedication and commitment to the promotion of culture and contemporary art. The initiative also seeks to inspire young people to explore opportunities in the creative arts industry. Agyeman-Duah pointed out that beyond recognition, the awards are designed to encourage investment in the arts sector by demonstrating its economic and cultural value. He mentioned that the programme aligns with broader efforts by the Asante Kingdom to preserve African identity through visual arts, history, and cultural education.
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards were launched in May 2025 by the Manhyia Palace Museum to celebrate both traditional and contemporary visual arts across Africa and beyond. The inaugural King's Art Prize honoured ten legendary African artists and was widely hailed as a significant milestone in Pan-African cultural appreciation, reflecting the Asantehene's commitment to revitalising African artistic heritage and promoting global recognition of African talent.