It has been a treasure house for invaluable historical and cultural objects from Ghana and elsewhere since it was formally opened in 1957 but without any renovations since then, the National Gallery of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) on Barnes Avenue in Accra has started to show signs of weariness.
The gallery has, therefore, been closed since December 24, last year, for an upgrading of its roofing, lighting, ventilation and other crucial systems.
The emergency works are estimated to be completed in six months.
Dr Zagba Narh Oyortey, the GMMB’s Executive Director told The Mirror that the much-needed remedial works could no longer be delayed as the gallery’s ceiling and roof had become weak and vital collections stood the danger of being damaged.
“Air conditioning was not in vogue when the gallery was built. It was constructed for natural light and natural air,” Dr Oyortey said.
“The roof was originally done to increase ventilation and we want to return to that mechanism because we cannot afford air conditioning.”
He hoped the gallery would be opened to the public by Republic Day on July 1.
“While the National Gallery is shut down, we will create a virtual gallery linked to our website so people can go online and keep in touch with us and follow the progress of work on the gallery,” Dr Oyortey pointed out.
The GMMB is the legal custodian of Ghana’s material cultural heritage. It strives to document and preserve the tangible and intangible assets of our cultural life in the hope that they will serve as testament to the times.
Items on show in the gallery before the temporary closure included chief’s regalia, indigenous Ghanaian musical instruments, gold weights, beads, traditional textiles, stools and pottery.
There were also objects from other African countries acquired through exchange.
The GMMB also stocks an impressive collection of Ghanaian paintings executed in oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolours and collages in addition to sculptural pieces in different media.
“While we never like to close the doors of our museum, this refurbishment process will better enable us to tell stories about our history and culture and we look forward to sharing these impressive pieces about ourselves with visitors from across the country and around the world," said GMMB’s Executive Director.
The Board Chairman of the GMMB, Mr Fritz Baffour, also said that the closure of the gallery will allow the museum staff to develop a series of new exhibitions for the public.
He stated that Ghanaians who had objects of historical value could donate or loan them to the GMMB to ensure a more diversified exhibition.
GMMB sources indicate that exhibitions to be mounted when the gallery reopens include ‘The Music of Ghana’ and ‘Africa in the Diaspora.’
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