The grand opening of the Despite Automobile Museum on June 1, 2025, in East Legon, Accra, is already turning heads. The Museum, founded by well-known businessman Dr. Osei Kwame Despite, showcases a stunning collection of both vintage and luxury cars, offering Ghanaians a rare chance to walk through car history.
The launch event was a star-studded affair. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was there, along with former President John Agyekum Kufuor, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, and MP Kennedy Agyapong. Their presence showed just how big this moment was, not just for car lovers but for Ghana’s culture and tourism scene.
Since the opening, the museum has been buzzing on social media. On TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, videos and photos of the glamorous launch and the amazing cars have been widely shared.
Many users praised the Despite Group for bringing something so unique to Ghana, with some even calling it the “new tourist hot spot in Accra.” However, some critics have criticized the idea and think it’s a misplaced priority.
A Facebook user, Abeku Adams Ekumfi, challenged the idea of launching an automobile museum in a country that has no automotive industry, calling it “ignorance.”
His comment quickly gathered attention from many Ghanaians who resonated with his submission and questioned the idea behind the automobile launch in a country where there is no automotive industry.
See what the Facebook user wrote:
He further advised that an Automobile Collection is created when the cars are made by the country or companies the founder has shares.
“You create an Automobile Collection (1) when they are made by your country or (2) by companies you have shares in (3) by a company you intend to invest or (4) get to invest in your country. Any other reason is by AFFUOM PEOPLE with excess money.” He concluded.
See what other people said:
Benoni Sowah: “I Thought it will have a history of Ghanas automobile history. But who I’m I’m. Let me shut up. Me too when I get my money I’ll get the tata bus, mummy trucks, aunti Dede etc”
Steven Briandt: “An avenue for money “washing””
Duke Galley: “A car museum should have cars used here in Ghana by some selected people…”
Joshua Andrews-Egyir: “As a collection or museum, how about the “safe keeping” of cars used by our former presidents or prominent figures. I hear the one used by Dr. Ephraim Amu is rooting away somewhere in Pek”
Mawumenyo Kulioh Kulewosi: “He didnt go far in school as for this please spare we the educators”
Inside the museum are some of the most beautiful and rare cars you’ll find anywhere in West Africa. From old-school classics to modern luxury rides, the collection shows how far car design and technology have come. A popular feature online showed the top 20 cars on display, including models that many people have only seen on TV or in magazines.
