BARBADOS – In a powerful testament to the enduring bonds between Africa and the Caribbean, the 2025 GUBA Awards in Barbados emerged as a pivotal moment for cultural diplomacy and Pan-African reconnection. Spearheading a significant artistic presence was Selorm Hilary Kojo Fiadjoe, the visionary founder of ENA Gallery Barbados, whose curated exhibitions served as a vibrant bridge, celebrating shared histories and fostering a sense of unity across the Atlantic.
Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: The Historic GUBA Awards in Barbados
This year’s GUBA Awards, themed “Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Build. Connect. Renew,” marked a monumental occasion by being hosted in the Caribbean for the first time. Staged in Barbados from November 10-12, 2025, the event was co-hosted in partnership with the Government of Barbados and supported by key local agencies, signifying a deliberate effort to deepen cultural and economic ties between the African continent and its diaspora in the Caribbean. The awards also commemorated the historic arrival of the first chartered flight carrying free Africans directly from Ghana to Barbados, a symbolic act that powerfully rekindled ancestral connections and celebrated a shared heritage. This landmark event underscores Barbados’ strategic role as a bridge between Africa and the Caribbean, further enhanced by the presence of ENA Gallery Barbados.
ENA Gallery Barbados: A Hub for African Creativity and Cultural Diplomacy
Selorm Hilary Kojo Fiadjoe, an acclaimed African gallerist, cultural visionary, and environmental advocate, founded ENA Gallery Barbados with a mission to elevate African creativity and champion environmental consciousness. Under his leadership, the gallery has become a nexus for multidisciplinary Ghanaian artists, fostering a shared goal of creating art that is both aesthetically compelling and socially relevant. ENA Gallery Barbados‘s presence at the GUBA Awards highlighted its commitment to cultural diplomacy, utilizing art not just as an expression but as a tool for dialogue, understanding, and strengthening international relations. This initiative is part of a broader trend of African culture making significant global waves, exemplified by movements like Afrobeats and various cultural exchange programs aimed at empowering diaspora nations. The work of ENA Gallery Barbados truly embodied the spirit of Art and unity.
Art as a Bridge: Showcasing Shared Heroes and Interconnected Histories with ENA Gallery Barbados
The artistic contributions curated by ENA Gallery Barbados at the 2025 GUBA Awards resonated deeply with the event’s themes, reinforcing the Pan-African connection. Master thread and kente artist Michael Appiah Yeboah, widely known as Mr MAY, presented exquisite textile portraits. These works paid homage to Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and global icon Rihanna, blending traditional Ghanaian weaving techniques with contemporary Barbadian pride. Further enriching the visual narrative, Yeboah’s mixed media fabric collages honored Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and Jamaican music legend Bob Marley. These pieces served as powerful visual dialogues, celebrating shared heroes and the interconnected histories that bind Africa and the Caribbean through the efforts of ENA Gallery Barbados.
Adding another layer to the exhibition was Ghanaian recycled arts specialist Eric Kwadwo Afranie. His striking mixed-media portrait of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, was crafted from discarded plastics and metal fragments. This piece, presented at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, poetically symbolized transformation and resilience, echoing the Asantehene’s message of growth and legacy. It also highlighted ENA Gallery Barbados‘s dedication to environmental stewardship through art, a key aspect of Cultural diplomacy Ghana is proud of.
Fostering Unity Through Artistic Expression with ENA Gallery Barbados
The artworks displayed by ENA Gallery Barbados at the GUBA Awards transcended mere aesthetic appreciation; they served as potent catalysts for unity. By weaving together Ghanaian culture with Barbadian and Caribbean pride, and by celebrating figures who have shaped Pan-African consciousness, the art fostered a profound sense of shared identity and interconnectedness. These presentations reinforced ENA Gallery Barbados‘s reputation as a beacon of African artistic excellence and cultural diplomacy. The broader implications of such artistic endeavors are significant, demonstrating art’s power to educate, connect, and inspire unity across continents while simultaneously addressing critical environmental issues. The focus on Ghanaian artists Barbados audiences could connect with was a major success.
The 2025 GUBA Awards in Barbados, amplified by ENA Gallery Barbados‘s impactful artistic showcase, not only celebrated past achievements but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations and strengthened ties. As the world increasingly recognizes the value of cultural exchange and diaspora connections, events like these, championed by figures like Selorm Hilary Kojo Fiadjoe and institutions like ENA Gallery Barbados, play an indispensable role in weaving a more unified global tapestry, a core tenet of the GUBA Awards 2025.