Paa Joe, 1947

Joseph Ashong, known worldwide as **Paa Joe**, is a Ghanaian fantasy-coffin artist born in 1947 in the Akwapim region of Greater Accra. He belongs to the Ga-Adangbe people and is widely regarded as one of the most important coffin artists of his generation.

At age 15, Paa Joe began a ten-year apprenticeship in the workshop of **Kane Kwei** (1924–1992) in Teshie — the legendary pioneer of Ghana’s fantasy coffins. In 1976, he opened his own workshop in Nungua, where he trained many younger artists who later became major figures themselves, including Daniel Mensah (Hello), Eric Kpakpo, and Kudjoe Affutu.

In 2007, Paa Joe relocated his workshop from Nungua to Pobiman (Greater Accra), where he continues to work alongside his sons Jacob and Isaac.

Paa Joe’s fantasy coffins — crafted in the shapes of animals, objects, symbols, and personal emblems — have earned him international acclaim. His works have been exhibited across Europe, Japan, and the United States, and are included in major museum collections worldwide, including the **British Museum** in London.

source: Wikipedia

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