We are delighted to share that Rita Mawuena Benissan has been featured in a recent article by The Art Newspaper, highlighting her work as an artist, archivist, and founder of Si Hene, a new cultural centre dedicated to preserving and engaging with Ghana’s cultural heritage. The article explores the origins of Si Hene and its development from an Instagram-based archive project into a physical cultural centre opening in Accra during this year’s Accra Cultural Week.
The article offers a closer look at Si Hene’s growing archive, which brings together decades-old photographs, newspapers, stamps, textiles, documents and books relating to Ghanaian, African and diasporan history and culture. The centre also includes an archive lab, a cultural reference library and an online research portal, creating opportunities for members to engage directly with Ghana’s cultural history and its preservation.
At the heart of Benissan’s approach is the belief that cultural heritage should remain active, accessible and continually shared. Since founding the Si Hene Foundation in 2020, she has developed initiatives spanning archiving, workshops, fellowships and research, including the Custodians of Culture Fellowship and Living Structures, a project focused on digitally documenting Ghana’s endangered forts, castles and surrounding communities.
We are grateful to The Art Newspaper for highlighting Rita Mawuena Benissan’s work and the ongoing development of Si Hene, and for bringing greater attention to her contribution to the preservation and continued engagement with Ghana’s cultural heritage.
