In 2011, I wrote: “Chale Wote could soon be the in-thing on the GH street arts scene”. I should have written “on the non-existent Ghana street arts scene” – it was the very first edition of what would later evolve into Africa’s largest street arts festival. Then, as now, I…
There are symptoms of an election all over Accra. From the giant billboards, to the flags of various political parties extending from trees like prosthetic branches, to the general angst in the air as every news program on the radio, internet and television offers updates on the road to Ghana’s…
Congolese musician Siama Matuzungidi / Credit: Dallas Johnson In his powerful poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers, Langston Hughes mentions “rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins”. Prolific Congolese soukous aficionado Siama Matuzungidi borrows this theme in his latest album aptly…
Fiifi Anaman was no stranger to me because I was friends with his cousin Kwame Osei who made me notice not only what he was doing, but also how rapidly he was rising. So when he messaged me one morning to tell me that Fiifi Anaman had won “Best Column”…
I do not know if I am terribly in a need of some writer courage – or any other kind – and because we sometimes underestimate how powerful a single thank you can be, my tongue feels burdened and has chosen my hands to speak. Therefore, with simmering anxiety in…
When was the last time an African film struck you? Would that film fall into your top ten African Films? Are you even able to remember that list? Considering how great a role film plays in our lives today, you should definitely know more about African films. Let me help…
Africa is the hot topic these days; everyone is trying to get a bite of the pie. This interest has led to an increase in the number of groups reporting on happenings on the continent, yet the same one-dimensional, stagnant (read, negative), and often inaccurate narrative of Africa continues to…
The Ghanaian music scene is rediscovering the appeal of thought provoking sounds that do more than make you move. The kind of rhythm and soul that is the foundation of the high life and hip life genres and gave birth to the likes of Osibisa, Obrafour, Nana Ampadu and Reggie…
It is impossible to talk art in Ghana or Africa without mentioning Chale Wote. When the official poster was released, the festival’s much desired and inevitable growth was evident. However, I found myself feeling more scared and anxious, than excited, to see if adding two more days to Chale Wote’s…