The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) has marked 50 years of Ghana–German Development Cooperation with a special art exhibition in Accra on Friday, highlighting the enduring collaboration between the two nations.
The exhibition, part of a series of anniversary events, showcased the works of young Ghanaian artists who used their creativity to explore the themes of sustainability, transformation, and partnership.
Speaking at the event, the Country Director of GIZ, Dr. Dirk Aßmann, described the milestone as a “vibrant expression of shared values and enduring collaboration.” He noted that the partnership, which began in 1975 with the signing of the first technical cooperation agreement, has evolved to reflect Ghana’s changing development priorities.
Dr. Aßmann recalled that the Ghanaian–German partnership started with the Ghanaian–German Agricultural Development Project (GGADP) in the 1970s, focusing on improving agricultural productivity in northern Ghana. The cooperation supported the Nyankpala Agricultural Experimental Station—now the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute—and contributed to the development of improved varieties of maize, rice, and sorghum.
“Today, our cooperation extends far beyond agriculture,” he said. “It now embraces governance and peace, vocational and technical education, renewable energy, and private sector development. We have moved from seeds and fertilisers to artificial intelligence.”
Highlighting the impact of the collaboration, Dr. Aßmann noted that it had helped build institutions, improve livelihoods, and benefit farmers, artisans, students, and entrepreneurs across Ghana.
As part of the celebration, an art competition was held to encourage young Ghanaian artists to engage with the history and future of Ghana–German relations. Out of 200 submissions, five artists were selected as finalists to exhibit their works — Mercy Dartey, Kojo Ahadzie, Juliet Appiah, Oduru Frimpong, and Najilau Atta Dramundu Abdul Karim.
One of the exhibitors, Mercy Dartey, showcased her project titled “Ashes to Art,” which converts waste materials into meaningful artwork aimed at fostering sustainability and empowering the youth. She revealed that her inspiration came from her mother’s cold store business, where packaging boxes were often discarded or burned.
“Following each restock, we typically incinerated or discarded the boxes. Upon recognizing this opportunity, I decided to repurpose them into artwork to demonstrate that even items we deem as waste can transform into something of value,” she said.
Her piece, inspired by Zurak Park in Madina — a former dumping site transformed into a football field — symbolises community transformation and environmental renewal. “It shows how we can recycle the things around us to give us a good and positive future,” she added.
Dr. Sela Kodjo Adjei, a multidisciplinary artist and researcher, commended the initiative as a meaningful way to redefine Africa’s relationship with Europe.
“It’s about building new relational ethics between Ghana and European countries,” he remarked.
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