Objects
Ebenezer Kow Abraham

Theophilus Kwesi Mensah, Sculptures in the Public Space of Winneba, 2021, various sizes (Courtesy of Edem Dedi Photography)

An Arististic Ingenuity in Efutu Dream

Theophilus Kwesi Mensah certainly deserves recognition as one of the “great” Ghanaian artists. Known for his work as an artist academic and his monumental contributions to public art especially, in his native land, Winneba. It will be remiss not to glean significance from the narratives that emanate from his practice. At 45 years, one will be hard-pressed to name another Ghanaian artist in his generation who has made significant impact in the public space of his own native land.

 

In the context of this discourse, whilst not elaborating on the innumerable sculptures he has built across the length and breadth of Ghana and even, internationally, the artistic ingenuity of Theophilus Kwesi Mensah’s contribution to the lofty Effutu Dream Project, initiated by the Effutu Municipal Assembly and championed by the Hon. Alexander Kwamena Affenyo Markin, the Member of Parliament of the Effutu Constituency is more than enough evidence of his nationalism.

 

The Effutu Dream Project was birthed out of the yen for the gentrification and regeneration of Winneba. In fulfilling the Effutu Dream Project, from a mere dilettante point of view, part of the paradigm was to embark on a beautification agenda. This framework culminated in several statues dotted around the townscape of Winneba in the year 2021. Majority of the statues in the project were sculptured by no other than one of Winneba’s own sons, Theophilus Kwesi Mensah, adding credence to this monumental agenda. Exploring his work in Winneba within a trilogy of paradigms including placemaking, collective memory and pedagogy, Theophilus Kwesi Mensah’s contribution become even more apparent in the Effutu Dream Project.