MzBel transforms Gbawe venue into cultural hub, clarifies Afro Essence Village mission beyond misconceptions

Veteran hiplife artiste MzBel has opened Afro Essence Village, a cultural and creative space at Gbawe in Accra, aimed at celebrating and preserving Ghanaian heritage. The initiative, which evolved from her existing BelKids Playground and Bella's Pub, marks a significant pivot towards promoting local art and traditional practices within the community.

The launch, held on Saturday, August 22, has already sparked conversations around cultural preservation in Ghana's entertainment and tourism sectors. However, MzBel addressed early misconceptions head-on, clarifying that the presence of sculptures and traditional artefacts at the venue reflects educational and artistic intent, not spiritual or occult practices.

From leisure space to cultural destination

MzBel, known privately as Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah, explained that the transformation was driven by observing visitor patterns over five years. The venue previously functioned primarily as a recreational facility serving food and beverages, but she noticed that international visitors and diaspora Ghanaians frequented the space without meaningful exposure to local creative expression.

"Over the past five years, most of our customers were foreigners and Ghanaians living abroad. They come here to have fun, but they didn't really get the chance to learn about our culture and art," she said.

To bridge this gap, MzBel invited local creatives to exhibit and sell their work directly at the venue. This collaborative approach forms the foundation of Afro Essence Village, positioning it as both a marketplace and educational platform for Ghanaian artists.

Why it matters for Ghana

The initiative addresses a broader challenge facing Ghana's creative economy: connecting artists with audiences and creating sustainable platforms for cultural entrepreneurs. By leveraging her profile in the entertainment industry, MzBel is using commercial space as a tool for cultural advocacy—a model gaining traction among successful Ghanaians seeking to redirect their influence toward heritage preservation.

Additionally, the venue's focus on traditional practices holds particular relevance for younger generations. MzBel's emphasis on activities such as traditional drumming, dance and use of traditional tools like the asanka (mortar and pestle) responds to concerns about cultural erosion among Ghanaian children exposed primarily to global entertainment trends.

The Gbawe location also highlights growing interest in developing secondary commercial and cultural hubs outside central Accra, potentially boosting economic activity in emerging entertainment districts.

A platform for creatives and community

MzBel's vision extends beyond tourism or entertainment revenue. She positions Afro Essence Village as a networking and business development hub, offering to connect artists with potential buyers, investors and collaborators. This approach addresses a known pain point for Ghanaian creatives: limited access to distribution channels and commercial opportunities.

The shift from live-band entertainment to traditional drumming and dance reflects deliberate programming choices designed to immerse visitors in authentic cultural experiences. By making these activities participatory rather than purely performative, MzBel aims to create memorable engagement that appeals to both local audiences and international visitors.

"My vision is to put Gbawe on the map through arts, culture and tradition. I want to bring people in Ghana's creative industry together and give them a home, a platform, a space to showcase their work," she noted.

As Afro Essence Village settles into operation, it may serve as a case study for how entertainment entrepreneurs can diversify their portfolios while contributing meaningfully to cultural preservation—a balance increasingly important as Ghana positions itself as a destination for cultural tourism and creative industries investment.