One More Chale Wote

Accra: the new Metropolis.

Ghana's biggest street festival keeps getting bigger and crazier. This year, Mr. and Mrs. O went to Chale Wote in Jamestown on a Saturday afternoon and were amazed with how busy the festival has become. The street was bustling and at times packed with people, the vast majority of them young, hip, middle-class Ghanaians. Every art piece was a space for a selfie, to be uploaded to the social media of the day.

This year's theme was African Electronics, in part the ingenuity of Ghanaians who can jerry-rig any broken-down machine and in part a fantastical look into the future from an African perspective.

There appeared to be fewer exhibits, at least on the street, but way more vendors selling interesting art, t-shirts and curios.

It was exciting to be there. On their first visit, it was decently-attended and on the second it had gotten noticeably busier and the art more exciting. This time, is was buzzing.

Mr. and Mrs. O are starting the one-year countdown to the end of his work assignment, so this will be their last Chale Wote. This has been a bit of a gentle reminder that there will not be a "next year", so in the coming months, they will need to take every opportunity that they can get.

Ga Adinkra symbols not usually seen by the casual tourist.

BMX tricksters.

The cool kids pose for a photo by Mrs. O.

Unfortunately, this was not working.

Akasanoma: a television set made in Ghana in the 1970s.

Murals under development.

The ruins of the Sea View Hotel becomes an art installation.

A parade of... something.

Even cooler kids.

Goodnight James Town!