In a landmark moment for Ghanaian art and women creators, Ghanaian artist Theresah Ankomah has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize. The announcement was made on 2 November 2025 at a ceremony held during the Accra Cultural Week at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast in Accra.

Joining Ankomah on the podium: first runner-up was Fatric Bewong, while second prize went to Gifty Amoateng.

A Prize with Purpose

The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize, organised by Gallery 1957, is Ghana’s first dedicated award exclusively for Ghanaian women artists living in Ghana or in the diaspora. It honours the legacy of Yaa Asantewaa, the legendary Ashanti Queen Mother who led resistance against colonial forces, thereby linking the prize to a lineage of female leadership, creativity and resilience.

Launched in 2021, the prize is part of Gallery 1957’s commitment to elevating the visibility of Ghanaian women artists and providing them tangible support — beyond recognition.

For the 2025 edition:

• The first prize includes a one-year artist residency, a solo exhibition at Gallery 1957, and GHC 50,000 in cash.
• The first runner-up receives GHC 30,000.
• The second runner-up receives GHC 20,000.

A distinguished international jury selected the winners, demonstrating the global ambition of the prize. The 2025 jury comprised:

• Aindrea Emelife (Curator & Art Historian)
• Othman Lazraq (Multidisciplinary Creative Entrepreneur, Founding Director of MACAAL)
• Omenaa Mensah (Philanthropist, Art Collector, Member of Tate Modern’s Africa Acquisitions Committee)
• Prof. Dr. Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung (Curator, Author & Biotechnologist)
• Nana Sao (Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Africa Capitalworks)
• Yesomi Umolu (Arts leader, writer, curator & cultural strategist)

Spotlight on Theresah Ankomah

Theresah Ankomah’s win marks a milestone moment in her artistic journey. While detailed coverage of her biography, practice and motivations remains forthcoming, the accolade signals recognition of her voice and vision within Ghana’s contemporary art landscape.

In her own words (via her @trezytherzy Instagram feed), Ankomah aims to “challenge the narratives of landscape and memory through colour, pattern and the body”. While we await a full solo exhibition as part of the prize, her selection suggests that the jury recognised both aesthetic innovation and meaningful engagement with identity, place and gender.

Her win is also emblematic: a Ghanaian woman artist receiving national recognition, access to a residency and platform that will undoubtedly raise her international profile.

The Runners-Up: Fatric Bewong & Gifty Amoateng

• Fatric Bewong, as first runner-up, is awarded GHC 30,000. Her practice (which the jury evidently found compelling) adds depth to the field of Ghanaian women artists working across mediums and contexts.
• Gifty Amoateng, securing second prize (GHC 20,000), likewise exemplifies the evolving spectrum of voices and aesthetics emerging within Ghana and its diaspora.

Together, the finalists reflect the prize’s growing influence and the vibrancy of Ghana’s female-led contemporary art scene.

Significance & Future Implications

Several key implications emerge from this announcement:

1. Visibility & Platform – The prize will provide Theresah Ankomah with a solo exhibition and a residency, a major boost to her practice and professional profile.
2. Gendered Support – By intentionally targeting Ghanaian women artists, the prize addresses gender imbalances in the art world and helps build a cohort of female-led artistic leadership.
3. International Connectivity – The involvement of an internationally composed jury and the linking of the prize to Ghana’s contemporary art hub (Gallery 1957) reflect increasing global engagement and institutional scaffolding.
4. Momentum for Ghanaian Art – As one of the most significant national prizes dedicated to women artists, this edition reinforces Ghana’s position as a burgeoning node in African contemporary art.
5. Pipeline for Talent – The prize helps build a pipeline from emerging to mid-career practice, increasing the likelihood that winners and runners-up gain gallery representation, institutional exhibitions and broader recognition.

Ceremony & Atmosphere

The announcement at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra during Accra Cultural Week added gravitas to the event. With colleagues, peers, collectors and curators in attendance, the ceremony served not just as an awards moment but as a networking and celebratory space. The setting underscores the growing integration of Ghana’s art ecosystem with international flows of capital, mobility and attention.

Looking Ahead

For Theresah Ankomah, the next 12 months will be transformative: preparing for her solo show at Gallery 1957, engaging in the residency phase, refining her portfolio, and likely participating in programming associated with the prize. The exposure will provide opportunities for further exhibitions, collaborations and possibly representation beyond Ghana.

For the runners-up, the monetary awards and the prestige serve as launchpads for next steps in their careers — whether through conference presentations, residencies abroad or expanded exhibition opportunities.

Gallery 1957, through this prize, continues to affirm its ambition: to elevate Ghanaian contemporary art, amplify women’s voices, and position Accra as a serious hub in global contemporary art dialogues.

Conclusion

The 2025 Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize announcement is a milestone both for Theresah Ankomah and the broader Ghanaian art ecosystem. Her win, and the recognition of Fatric Bewong and Gifty Amoateng, is a clear signal: Ghanaian women are advancing into more visible, supported, and internationally connected artistic roles. As the solo exhibition and residency unfold, the art world will follow with interest to see how this next chapter of Ankomah’s career shapes up — and how the prize continues to catalyse talent, representation and transformative practices.