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While exploring Ghana’s most talked-about car museum in Accra, internationally renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama gave locals and culture lovers something to look forward to, he’s considering building a museum in Ghana himself.
During a public tour of the acclaimed Despite Automobile Museum, Mahama commended the vision and dedication that went into creating such a landmark, suggesting he may soon follow suit with a unique cultural project of his own in the capital city.
Ibrahim Mahama, Despite Automobile Museum: A Shared Vision for Public Culture
The Despite Automobile Museum, located in Accra, is more than just an automotive history museum in Africa, it’s a celebration of innovation, passion, and craftsmanship. Featuring a lineup of vintage car exhibitions and modern luxury vehicles, the museum is quickly becoming a top destination for cultural tourism in Ghana.
While speaking about the museum’s impact, Ibrahim Mahama shared his admiration for its founder:
“Yes, I shall [build one], but not as big as this,” Mahama said. “He’s actually my senior, so I give him respect for what he’s done.”
His comments reflect not only humility but a deeper aspiration to contribute to Ghana’s growing art and culture scene in a similarly impactful way.
Ibrahim Mahama, Despite Automobile Museum, and the Future of Art Spaces in Ghana
Known for transforming unconventional structures into art spaces, like airplanes, old buses, and shipping containers. Ibrahim Mahama’s projects in Tamale such as Red Clay Studio and the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) have reshaped the way art interacts with local communities.
Now, Mahama is considering a move to Accra’s airport area, citing its accessibility and visibility:
“I think the airport area would be good—such that we can have museums people can’t miss.”
His focus on airport area development aligns with current urban trends in making creative and learning spaces part of city infrastructure. Though Mahama didn’t disclose a timeline, his intent is clear: he wants to build a public art and innovation center that fuses learning, culture, and visual storytelling.
What a Mahama Museum Could Mean for Accra
If Mahama goes ahead with building a museum in Ghana, it could serve as a complementary cultural site to spaces like the Despite Automobile Museum, offering locals and tourists a richer, more varied exploration of Ghana’s creative identity.
A Mahama-led public museum near Accra’s airport could act as both a landmark and a learning hub, similar to his northern installations but tailored to the urban energy of the capital.
With Ghana positioning itself as a cultural and creative economy hub in West Africa, projects like these add momentum to the broader narrative of cultural tourism in Ghana. They also underscore the importance of making public art accessible in high-traffic areas, including the airport, city center, and major roads.
Despite Auto Museum: A Gateway to Automotive History
As Mahama acknowledged during his visit, the Despite Automobile Museum is more than a display of cars; it’s a historical journey through the evolution of mobility and luxury. From retro convertibles to rare models, the museum showcases the kind of meticulous collecting that requires long-term vision:
“His collections are out of this world… to have such cars takes actual long planning,” Mahama noted.
Such institutions are essential in preserving automotive history in Africa, providing educational experiences for school groups, tourists, and families alike. They also help diversify what visitors expect when they think of museums in Ghana, not just art and heritage, but also engineering, design, and innovation.
Cultural Renaissance in Ghana: What Comes Next?
Between Ibrahim Mahama, the Despite Automobile Museum, and other emerging creatives, Ghana is in the midst of a cultural renaissance. If Mahama’s plan takes off, it could help rebalance the North-South access to artistic and cultural infrastructure, something he has long advocated.
While no firm blueprint or date has been shared, his interest alone is a signal of more exciting developments in the pipeline. The promise of new museums, especially those rooted in public art and innovation, signals a bold future for Ghana’s creative landscape.
