For nearly seven years, NANA DARKOA SEKYIAMAH has led the Communications forefront for the African Women’s Development Fund. During her tenure with our organization, she has authored new publications such as the Communications Handbook for Women’s Rights Organisations, co-authored Creating Spaces and Amplifying Voices: The First Ten Years of the African Women’s Development Fund and edited Women Leading Africa: Conversations with Inspirational Women. Nana has also created and led innovative projects for women writers, photographers, visual artists and filmmakers including the African Women in Film Forum [AWIFF], the African Women Writer’s Residency with FEMRITE [AWW14], and a number of workshops, master classes and exhibitions.

If you know Nana, you understand her passion for developing the capacity and visibility of African women. She lives and breathes it. Girlfriend’s got dedication, style, confidence, professionalism, and fortitude for days. She is a real go-getter, a team player, a mover and shaker. Although we are sad to see Nana go, she proves with every step what it means to dream big and act boldly.

Nana, we are thankful for your service to African women. Although we will miss working with you each week, we know you are never far. As we say at AWDF, once you are a part of the family you stay with us forever!

Scroll down to read more special shout-outs to Nana from staff, partners and grantees:

 

Thank you, Nana. Your humility is so inspiring. I will always remember our back and forth per email about the AWIFF 2013 programme. You could have put together a programme from you own great storehouse of experience. But you made a point of conferring with women in the film industry. I was, in fact, shocked that someone from the great AWDF was asking advice in such a candid manner. And what a success that AWIFF was! I wish more African leaders would do that. I know that in your next engagement you will continue your exemplary way of engagement.

Warmest regards and hugs,
Tsitsi Dangarembga
Director
Institute of Creative Arts for Progress in Africa (ICAPA) Trust
(incorporating Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe and Nyerai Films)
Founder International Images Film Festival for Women (IIFF)

---

Nana, your poise, confidence, warmth and creative activism has and will continue to change the world. With you marching, I don’t just want to shout from the sidelines, I want to join in! Thank you for your invaluable contributions at AWDF.

Love,
Yewande Omotoso
Author + Facilitator, IWD 2014 Writer’s Masterclass
African Women Writer’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction [AWDF + FEMRITE]

---

Nana is an affable and strong achiever. In her I see greatness. She is a young lady with so much passion. She accepts everybody just the way they are. My friend had the opportunity to meet her and to narrate how she described Nana in a simple description – ‘She is really a nice person’. To add to this I’d say, Nana is the embodiment of what it means to be a Mentor. Nana for me, you are a genius and I encourage you to do more because young ladies like us always look up to you.

Trees grow and their leaves fall at some point in time. You leave with sadness in our hearts but also joy for your development into another challenging role. Go all out and be great!

Shirley Boakye
Administrative Assistant
AWDF

---

With me, Nana’s reputation preceded her. I discovered her blog in 2013, and I was both awed by and scared of this African woman living in Ghana who was bold enough to write honestly and explicitly about her sex life without the protection of anonymity. I never imagined I would meet her, but when I did at AWW14, I was surprised to learn that this Nana was that Nana from Adventures. She was warm, laughing, generous, an encourager who didn’t mince words but still managed never to be cutting. Everything about her was inspiring – her drive, vision, style, even her gorgeous locks! And the way she said ‘Adventures’, holding that last ‘s’ like a secret only the initiated could understand, made a total believer out of me. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors, and I will forever be glad that I actually know her in real life. Because, you know, who doesn’t want to be associated with greatness?

Olutimehin Adegbeye
Writer
African Women Writer’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction

---

Nana is one of the most badass women I know.

Valérie Bah
Writer
African Women Writer’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction

---

Thank you, sister, for being a great friend and colleague. I appreciate you showing me the ropes at AWDF. You are an energetic inspiration – your honesty, poise, leadership and problem-solving attitude are what beams the most. Keep on shining your light.

Sionne Neely
Knowledge Management Specialist
AWDF

---

Nana,
Herstory and history will remember you for facilitating women’s growth in the last six years. As a beneficiary of your many projects at AWDF, I can only say Asante sana (a big thank you in Kiswahili) for contributing to my personal and political growth through the feminist spaces and networks you have created.

Here is a traditional Gaelic blessing just for you:

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Much love,
Njoki Wamai
Writer
African Women Writer’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction

---

It has been a pleasure working with you and, on behalf of the team at Alliance Française d’Accra, we wish to thank you for your enthusiasm and cheerfulness. We hope our paths will meet again!

Best wishes,
Audrey Destandau
Acting Deputy Director
Alliance Française d’Accra

---

Nana, you have changed my life in ways you will never imagine, never ever. I love you so much and I appreciate you. May the Universe arrange all things to be beautiful for you, that the desires of your heart are granted. May the angels go ahead of you and make the space you are entering gracious and life giving. May you soar high like an eagle and deep like the great white sharp. Be blessed. I am sending all my positive and loving energy to you, Nana!

Tendai Garwe
Writer
African Women’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction

---

Nana helped us understand the use of some social media applications like Twitter through How-to trainings. I appreciate her willingness always to share knowledge with others. Even during her last few days at AWDF, she took us through how to be digitally secure. Thank you Nana. Do keep up the good work you are doing. I will definitely miss our good morning greetings.

Zeytuna Abdella Azasoo
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
AWDF

---

Sista, sista. Well done, Nana and many thanks for AWW14.

Best wishes, I know your hands turn everything your touch into gold!

Beatrice Lamwaka
Writer
African Women Writer’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction

---

Nana has truly been such an inspiration and the best supervisor that an intern could ever ask for. Coming from NYC, it is common for bosses to not interact with their interns very often, Nana completely turned my opinion around. She is so approachable and made herself available, in case I needed any help or had questions. She really made me feel like I was part of the organization and not just another intern to her. I remember she even got me a thoughtful souvenir when she came back from Thailand, which made me feel appreciated.

I hope to be half of the woman she is, one day, because she is someone that does everything 110% and can make a connection with anyone she meets. She is really the epitome of a strong, independent and humble woman who works as hard as she can, at things she is truly passionate about! She gave me so many opportunities and has really made me feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. I wish her the best in everything that she does and hope that I would get the chance to work with her again!

Emily Barnard
Communications Assistant
AWDF

---

It has been amazing meeting you. Thank you for all the work you have done over the past 7 years. Thank you for keeping the door open for other sisters and being so authentic to your work. I wish you nothing but success and I know you will excel and shine for African women wherever you are!

Moiyattu Banya
Writer
African Women Writer’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction

---

Nana is an organiser extraordinaire! She and her team put together the excellent AWIFF Forum and I was glad to be a part of it. She organised everything well in advance, and ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience for all. I have never worked with someone so efficient and professional. It was a joy and a pleasure. She’ll be an asset wherever she goes. I hope we get to work together again soon.

Best,
Ade Solanke
Writer/Producer
Spora Stories

---

Please let me join everyone in saying Nana, you are such an incredible mobiliser, organiser, activator, co-conspirator, sister, friend. Thank you for all your amazing years of dedicated service to AWDF and to ensuring that you create spaces such as these for other African women. You hard work, dedication and commitment has not gone unnoticed and I am eternally grateful for all the opportunities you have directed my way. THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU very much! Looking forward to working with you in the future.

Big hugs,
Amina Doherty
Communications Consultant, AWDF
Writer, African Women’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction

---

Nana, continue soaring to higher heights. Live long, write hard and make us proud.

Abena Kyere
Writer
African Women’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction

---

Wishing you MORE of the BEST in EVERY thing you do, Nana! Walk good!

Yaba Blay, Ph.D.
Co-Director of Africana Studies
Drexel University [U.S.]

---

Nana, you have no choice, you’ve got to surpass your amazing achievements. Go forth and shine. Sista, sista…

Kechi Nomu
Writer
African Women’s Residency on Creative Non-fiction