Some sand artists at the Sakumono Titanic Beach in Tema in the Greater Accra Region, are making the day for holidaymakers, visitors and tourists with a display of sculpted mermaids and other terrestrial beings.
The exquisite artistic work crafted upon the shores of the Atlantic, has left visitors pondering over what the natural world has to offer, giving a diversity of the beliefs etched in facts and fiction about the existence of terrestrial beings.
In West African mythology, the mermaid (Mama Wata) reigns supreme as an enchanting and potent water spirit, weaving a narrative that has held sway over imaginations for centuries.
Characterised by a serpentine tail and an irresistible beauty, she is believed to hold dominion over the depths, wielding unparalleled power and influence over those who find themselves in proximity to her aquatic realm.
“The beach is more than just a place for relaxation. It is also a stunning natural canvas for creativity.” Agboado Livingstone, a beach artist, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview.
The artists, he said, had decided to use the 2025 Christmas festivities to showcase artistic works on the mermaid and other terrestrial beings as debate on their very existence attracted public interest.
Throughout history, coastal communities have incorporated beach art into their traditions as the indigenous groups use a variety of beach materials for artistic and spiritual expressions, from Polynesian wood carvings to Celtic stone arrangements along the shore.
“Today, we are celebrating beach art and attracting visitors who appreciate the intersection of nature and creativity.
“Creating beach art can be a deeply meditative experience. The rhythmic sound of waves, the feel of the sand, and the openness of the shore all contribute to a stress-free environment that fosters creativity,” the sand artist told the GNA.
Over the last three days, the Sakumono Titanic Beach has seen the influx of holidaymakers and tourists because of the Christmas festivities.
The revellers are taking time off their busy working schedules to indulge in the festivities, and many are those who find the shoreline a perfect place to spend the holidays given its serene ambiance.
Franko van Schmidt, a European tourist, in an interview, said he had been in Ghana over the last one week, noting that one remarkable thing he had observed was about the hospitality of the citizenry.
“I am happy to be at this beach celebrating the Christmas with these wonderful people. It is a trip which will linger on my mind for a very long time,” he noted.
Maame Esi Nyarko, a student and environmentalist, who was making her maiden visit to the Sakumono Titanic Beach, called on the Government to put drastic measures in place to safeguard the shoreline from pollution.
The prevalence of plastic waste and other polluting materials at the shoreline ought to be addressed, she advised, urging the authorities to improve infrastructure at the place given its strategic location.
Meanwhile, security personnel have been deployed to the Beach to ensure the safety of the holidaymakers throughout the Christmas festivities but they cannot guarantee the safety of the sand sculptures.
As the sun sets on the shoreline, the delicate sculptures fade into darkness.
The waves playfully wash the beach but teasingly spares the sculptures, which beauty will linger in the minds of the holiday makers.
Soon, all the elements of nature will feast on the human expressions and make the area plain sand once again.
