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Joseph Awuah-Darko, a celebrated figure in Ghana\u2019s art scene, is facing serious allegations from several artists who claim that he has built his career at the expense of their livelihoods. The accusations suggest he has withheld significant sums from the sale of their artworks through his art foundation, The Noldor Residency.<\/p>\n
An exclusive Afrikmag investigation, titled Gallery of Greed, has uncovered troubling claims that Awuah-Darko exploited vulnerable Ghanaian artists, profiting from their work while failing to remit the funds owed to them.<\/p>\n
Foster Sakyiamah\u2019s Claims: Patron to Predator
\nThe controversy began when artist Foster Sakyiamah sued Awuah-Darko for failing to pay $266,527.03 from the sale of his artworks. Speaking to Afrikmag, Foster, who describes his relationship with Awuah-Darko as \u201cpatron to predator\u201d, explained that he received financial reports from The Noldor Residency stating that clients had paid in full for his works. However, the money was never sent to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we make sales, all the sales, they send me a financial report. With the financial report, it will be stated that all the galleries or the clients that have been buying the works have paid in full. That means if they paid in full, you’ve taken your percentage, 40%. And my percentage is supposed to be sent to my account. It was not like that. The money was piling up, but I didn\u2019t realise it because with those small amounts I was given, I was okay,\u201d Foster said.<\/p>\n
Foster\u2019s brother, Seth Fiifi, added: \u201cSo he gave us a payment plan. He didn’t follow. We contacted him again and he gave us another time. That was when the failed promises started. Today that, tomorrow that, today that. It got to a point we said if he doesn’t pay the money, we will send it to court. Initially he was like, no, we shouldn’t. That will destroy everything, so we shouldn’t take it to court, he will find a way and resolve it.\u201d<\/p>\n