Kokrobite Gardens Lodge, close to Accra, will host a musical, artistic, and cultural event in February of next year with the goal of bringing together professionals in the creative and arts sectors from Ghana, Togo, Benin, and EU member states to compete and foster cross-national cultural exchange.

The event, dubbed “the European Union–West Africa Arts Fusion Residency & Expo 2024,” is being organized by the EU with the goal of providing a venue for 12 carefully chosen artists from the participating nations to exhibit their diverse works of art and foster cross-cultural interactions.

For rehearsals, the artists will be encamped at the lodge from February 10 to February 19, 2024.

The chosen artists will then square off in a grand final on February 19 at the EU Residency Gardens in Accra for the prize of €3,000 in cash.

After winning in three categories—fashion, music, and visual arts—a winning group of four artists—a musician, a fashion designer, and a visual artist—all from the three participating West African countries and one EU national—will get the cash prize.

The participating artists will be expected to display their artwork and products, set up various stalls to highlight their individual creative endeavours and products, such as sustainable fashion items, photo exhibitions, live painting and graffiti (art that is written, painted, or drawn on a wall or other surface), books, and live musical performances.

Additionally, emphasis will be placed on pieces created by both seasoned and emerging artists.

Deadline and Selection Process

Irchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, announced the upcoming event last Wednesday at a press conference in Accra. He advised interested artists to apply online at the EU Fusion platform (www.eu-fusion.org), where qualified applicants for the competition and event will be assessed and chosen by a reputable, independent jury from the fields of the arts, culture, and creative industries.