Seychelles delegation learns about Ghana’s heritage |05 June 2025
Seychelles delegation learns about Ghana’s heritage
A Seychelles delegation comprising the executive director of the Creative Seychelles Agency, Emmanuel D’Offay, the executive director of the National Museums of Seychelles, Julianne Barra, and the Arts and Events Coordinator, Stephanie Latulipe, went on an official visit to Kumasi and Accra, Ghana from May 19 to 25, 2025.
The visit was part of the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last year between Seychelles National institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts and the Manhyia Palace Museum.
Some of the key highlights on the agenda were the visit to the Manhyia Palace Museum, visit to World Heritage Sites, technical and strategic meetings in preparation of World Heritage nomination dossiers and finally and invitation to the Inaugural Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards.
The main goals of the meetings held were to exchange session on Seychelles’ experience in heritage management, focus on bilateral collaboration, heritage conservation, and capacity-building opportunities, discuss how to enhance Seychelles’ museum displays, project the local museums’ future and collections as well as address the current challenges.
The delegation met with the director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, the museum curators, conservators, technicians and tour guides who included Gordo Frimpong, Emmanuel Osei Boakye, Loretta Gyasi and Sheena Ofori. Also present was the director for the National Museum of Ghana, the Unesco representative for Ghana, artisans, local entrepreneur, chiefs of the Ashanti tribes, the Asantehene and other museums professional.
The delegation also explored areas for mutual collaboration, museum growth and other opportunities that might exist. The official visit to the Kumasi included a guided tour and viewing of exhibits showcasing the Asante Kingdom’s history, culture and royal regalia. The museum is situated in the former palace of the Asantehene. It provides information about the Asante Kingdom’s history.
On Friday 23 – in a landmark celebration of African cultural excellence, the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, Ghana, in collaboration with Unesco and the European Union, proudly hosted the first Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards. The event recognised ten renowned artist laureates for their outstanding lifetime contributions to the African art and history.
The awards ceremony took place at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall within the historic Manhyia Palace. The event celebrated a diverse group of visionary artists whose work has profoundly influenced African artistic expression and preserved the continent’s cultural heritage.
“This ceremony marks a powerful moment in affirming African identity through the arts,” said a Unesco representative. “By honouring these artists, we also honour the shared histories and cultural futures of our nations.”
Present were dignitaries, cultural leaders, artists, and scholars from across Africa and beyond, highlighting the critical role of the arts in diplomacy, development, and heritage preservation. The Manhyia Palace Museum, Unesco, and the European Union extended heartfelt congratulations to the 2025 Artist Laureates and reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a vibrant and connected African art ecosystem.
Text and photos contributed