Category: Blog
Meet Nana Nyarko Boateng, a poet and writer who performed at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Nana Nyarko Boateng, a poet and writer who performed at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
![Nana Nyarko Boateng](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Nana-Nyarko-Boateng-Photo-768x1024.jpg)
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Nana Nyarko Boateng is a Writer, Poet, and a Social Entrepreneur. She writes and works to celebrate the human spirit and to promote our bottomless capacity for change. She has worked in Media as a Broadcast Journalist and a Newspaper Editor. She has also served in the Creative Arts and the Publishing industry as a Consultant, a Programs Executive, a Publishing Assistant and a Freelance Writer. She studied English and Political Science at the University of Ghana. Nana currently manages the Gird Center, a Resource and Publication Center based in Accra. She believes in breeding and spending beauty. Some of her writing and poetry has appeared in: Reflections: An Anthology; Lynne Rienner Publishers, United States, January 2013. Summoning The Rain, Anthology; Femrite, Uganda, May 2012. Look where you have come to sit, Anthology; Wolei Publishers, Ghana, March 2011. Defiled sacredness Anthology; Mensa Press, UK, September 2010. We are one from one place Anthology; Mensa Press, UK, September 2010.
See footage below of Nana Nyarko’s recital, reading and narration at the book slam held on International Women’s Day.[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Nana Boateng Nyarko est une écrivaine, poète, et un entrepreneur social. Elle écrit et travaille pour célébrer l’esprit humain et promouvoir notre capacité au changement de fond. Elle a travaillé dans les médias comme journaliste de radiotélévision et directeur de journal. Elle a également servi dans les arts créatifs et l’industrie de l’édition en tant que consultante, programmeur exécutif, assistante d’édition et rédacteur pigiste. Elle a étudié l’anglais et les sciences politiques à l’Université du Ghana. Nana gère actuellement le Centre Gird, un centre de ressources et de publication basée à Accra. Elle croit dans le développement et la diffusion de la beauté. Certains de ses écrits et de sa poésie sont parus dans: Reflexions: An Anthology; Lynne Rienner Publishers, États-Unis, Janvier 2013. Summoning The Rain, Anthology; Femrite, Ouganda, mai 2012. Look where you have come to sit, Anthology; Wolei Publishers, Ghana, Mars 2011. Defiled sacredness Anthology; Mensa Press, Royaume-Uni, Septembre 2010. We are one from one place Anthology; Mensa Press, Royaume-Uni, Septembre de 2010.
Voir ci-dessous des images du récit de Nana Nyarko, la lecture et la narration au ‘book slam’ se sont tenues lors de la Journée internationale des femmes.[/tp]
Words and images from a photography workshop for women
Words and images from a photography workshop for women
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Between the 18th and 21st of February, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) and Alliance Francaise (Accra), organised a photography workshop for women led by Fatoumata Diabate, the award winning Malian photographer.
Feedback from participants who attended the workshop included:
“My skills are definitely improved in terms of knowing what makes a good photo” Onyinyechi Okechukwu, Nigeria
“Learnt a lot about the historic background of photography, need to be more attentive on surroundings before taking pictures. Be careful with cropping and over editing, always keep an original copy.” Sena Dede Ahadji, Ghana
“I learnt about history of photography and pioneering photographers” Roxanne Scott, United States.
Enjoy the visual representation of the workshop below. All photographs by Fatoumata Diabate.[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Entre le 18 et le 21 Février, le Fonds africain de développement de la femme (AWDF) et l’Alliance Française (Accra), ont organisé un atelier de photographie pour les femmes dirigé par Fatoumata Diabaté, photographe malienne primée.
Les commentaires des participants qui ont assisté à l’atelier ont inclus:
“Mes compétences sont certainement améliorées en termes de savoir ce qui fait une bonne photo” Onyinyechi Okechukwu, Nigeria
“J’ai appris beaucoup sur le contexte historique de la photographie, j’ai besoin d’être plus attentive sur les alentours avant de prendre des photos. Soyez prudent avec les recadrages et sur l’édition, toujours garder une copie originale.” Sena Dede Ahadji, Ghana
“J’ai appris l’histoire de la photographie et les photographes pionniers” Roxanne Scott, États-Unis.
Profitez de la représentation visuelle de l’atelier ci-dessous. Toutes les photographies de Fatoumata Diabaté.[/tp]
![Photography by Fatoumata Diabate](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/©-Fatoumata-Diabate_4-1024x682.jpg)
![Photography by Fatoumata Diabate](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/©-F.D-photo-workshop-Accra_24-1024x682.jpg)
![Photography by Fatoumata Diabate](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/©-F.D-photo-workshop-Accra_22-1024x682.jpg)
![Photography by Fatoumata Diabate](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/©-F.D-photo-workshop-Accra_21-1024x682.jpg)
![Photography by Fatoumata Diabate](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/©-F.D-photo-workshop-Accra_19-1024x682.jpg)
![Photography by Fatoumata Diabate](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/©-F.D-photo-workshop-Accra_16-1024x682.jpg)
![Photography by Fatoumata Diabate](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/©-F.D-photo-workshop-Accra_11-1024x682.jpg)
![Photography by Fatoumata Diabate](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/©-F.D-photo-workshop-Accra_9-1024x682.jpg)
Happy World Poetry Day. Meet Nana Akosua Hanson: Poet, Actress and Storyteller
Happy World Poetry Day. Meet Nana Akosua Hanson: Poet, Actress and Storyteller
Nana Akosua’s fierce poetry performance during the International Women’s Day book slam organised by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) and Alliance Francaise (AF) inspired the following tweet from from a member of the audience:
“Nana Akosua’s handle please. She won my oscar. Great job with the show tonight. Kudos!”
![Nana Akosua Hanson](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Nana-Akosua--768x1024.jpg)
On the occasion of World Poetry Day we celebrate Nana Akosua Hanson and all the inspiring poets who move us with their words, and delight us with their performances. Enjoy one of the pieces performed to keyboards by the very talented Nana Akosua on International Women’s Day.
Lovemaking in Purple Rain
Soft lips, soft hands, wet bodies, slow rhythms…
I give me, all of me, to You.
Stroke me like You Love me..Love me like You need me…just for one night…
A wet rose sliding down my cleavage, my hands encircling your waist, sliding lower…
Reach into the depths of my bruised heart…it’s dark down there. It’s dead…but Love me. Just this night.
Warm tongues probing, searching…entangled rhythms of tales as old as time…withered wishes of worn fairytales
Fingers brush the warm wetness of open thighs…
Breathing heavily on sensitive tips…
An incestuous affair of pain and pleasure…tears glistening on the tips of pubic hairs…please…Love me…if only for one night...
Shadows on a bruised wall…arched backs, breathing in the secret of night
Entangle me in the rich darkness that relaxes my soul
Light, a mirage of a rude awakening….drink deep my bittersweet juices
Sinful traps of sorrowful tunes, Love my lonely lips till thorny crowns hover above a bleeding head
Winding waists…clawing fingers…come inside me…take me slowly…yessss
Be with me, of me, by me…till You becomes Me and Me becomes You in the powerful circle of…Good.
Love me. Just this night
Climax hovers on edges of that sweet, sweet atmosphere…
Grab my hair…breathe in my…you feel so good…
Higher and higher…faster and faster…images, a chorused blur of Love tales, Love tunes…Love me…Just this night Love me
Fantasy meets reality on a purple horizon I’m…Free
Meet Famia Nkansa, a writer and poet who participated in ‘Women of the world: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Famia Nkansa, a writer and poet who participated in ‘Women of the world: Talking about a Revolution’
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]”The King is dead! The Queen is King…does she have a blog/published book? I’d love to read her material” was one of the tweets I got in response to Famia’s incredible performance at AWDF and Alliance Francaise’s recent International Women’s Day celebrations.
So just who is Famia Nkansa?
![Famia Nkansa](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Famia.jpg)
Famia Nkansa is a writer, poet, blogger and social commentator who is still trying to scatter her words like pebbles and write her way back home. She is currently is in the final stages of completing a novel and a book of short stories. In the meantime Famia has been generous enough to share her piece below with us. Enjoy.
The Soundtrack to an Ovary
The American children of Asian immigrants choke on popcorn and live lives with subtitles, never sure what is asked of them; whether it is from their mothers, or ethnographers asking about their mothers.
–Takeo Rivera[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]«Le roi est mort! La Reine est roi … At-elle un blog / livre publié? Je serais ravie de lire ses productions» était l’un des tweets que j’ai reçu en réponse à une performance incroyable de Famia à AWDF et l’Alliance Française lors des récentes célébrations de la Journée internationale de la femme.
Qui donc au juste est Famia Nkansa?
Famia Nkansa est écrivaine, poète, blogueuse et commentateur social qui est encore en train de disperser ses mots comme des cailloux et de leur écrire le chemin du retour. Elle est actuellement dans les dernières étapes de l’élaboration d’un roman et d’un livre d’histoires courtes. En attendant Famia a été assez généreuse pour partager cette pièce ci-dessous avec nous. Profitez.
La Bande-originale d’un ovaire
Les enfants américains d’immigrants asiatiques s’étouffent avec du pop-corn et vivent leurs vies avec des sous-titres, jamais sûr de ce qui leur est demandé; que ce soit de la part de leurs mères, ou d’ethnographes qui leur pose des questions sur leurs mères.
-Takeo Rivera[/tp]
The women-children of African people choke on popcorn
and live lives with subtitles.
Never sure what is asked of them—whether it is from their mothers,
or the ethnographers asking about their mothers.
They marry up; they marry men; they learn to be the treasurers of society’s decrees.
And early on, they perfect the art of cleaning dust from gramophone records.
Sound is the soundtrack to an ovary. Women walking, always,
hand in hand with voices. The voices say how to behave.
The voices say when you have failed. The voices say,
“to be female and Ghanaian is to be doubly African.”
To be doubly African is to be even more defined by journalists and history books.
To live with having footnotes the world shows no interest in learning to read.
In the dreams these women have—where they are here, not halved but whole—
they wear mascara on their labia instead of lipstick, study economics instead of
teaching, study sculpting instead of econ and proclaim things that make no sense.
They teach their children how to use a new broom the first five times.
Collect the twigs on paper. To clean their teeth
with charcoal to make them pearly white.
But out of their dreams, when they are here, they hear,
“Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
And come to recognize a sound
that always only means two things:
The food is burning, so lower the fire.
You’re being heard, so lower your voice.
Document women’s stories: My 60 seconds idea to improve the world
Document women’s stories: My 60 seconds idea to improve the world
Recently I was invited to participate in the ‘The Forum‘, a BBC World Service programme. When I got the initial query from the producer I thought, “why not?”, and then checked details of the programme online…
“What? The programme is described as an ‘ideas discussion show which tackles the big questions of our age with some of the world’s most eminent minds.’?
Ha! I thought, I’m not sure I have one of the world’s most eminent minds but I definitely have a mind and thoughts to share so yes, lets do this. I had the opportunity to meet some lovely inspiring women on the programme. Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist who would like to retire to Mars one day in the future. I don’t even like to fly in planes and Maggie wants to go to space? More power to her. Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a prodigy in my opinion, she started playing the piano at the age of 4, is a classically trained musician and this year has set herself the goal of writing 100 songs. Yes, 100 songs o…let that inspire you to write one song, one blog post or one poem. Since I met her I’ve had her album ‘Truthfully’ on replay. Check out her rendition of ‘Ain’t I a Woman’ inspired by Sojourner Truth below.
Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze is widely recognised as the first woman reggae dub poet in the U.K. Her story is another inspiring one. She was initially diagnosed with schizophrenia and today has published several books of poetry, and received an MBE for her contributions to the field of poetry.
And then there was lil ol me 🙂 I was given the opportunity to share a 60 second idea which could change the world…my idea was inspired by my Grand Aunt whom we call M’aam ‘Fri (short for Maame Ofiri. Ofiri means an albino but somehow in the context we use it has never been seen as an insult more as a descriptor). M’aam ‘Fri is about 95 years old according to her reckoning. She is the matriarch of my maternal family. She inspires me because she has lived a long full life, been a ‘market queen’, survived the tyranny of coup makers, run her own business, raised her children and other people’s children, chose a second husband of her choice… M’aam ‘Fri never had the benefit of an education. Her brother Koffi Addo, my maternal grandfather did, and when he died just over a year ago left 2 published books, several manuscripts, letters and documents of his life. His writings are an immense historical treasure, he writes about his experiences of the colonial administration, his experiences working with Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President; and discusses openly his life and personal relationships. M’aam ‘Fri hasn’t had the opportunity to do the same, yet in my conversations with her she has told me about her Dad (my great grandfather) who was a wealthy cocoa farmer and ‘traded’ with the whites, marrying her first husband because he was her brother’s choice of a husband for her and later choosing another husband of her choice, she’s shared with me about being a Market Queen ( a leader of market traders), travelling via a truck to the Northern regions of Ghana to purchase items to sell in the South, the atrocities of coup makers who beat market women up because they would not become members of their parties, and accused these same women of being ‘prostitutes’ when they saw their choice of underwear when they raised their dresses to lash them with a cane. These are powerful stories, and stories that I know other women will share. These stories will die if we do not capture the herstories of our mothers, grandmothers, aunties, fetish priestesses, healers who hold powerful accounts within them. Will you join me in capturing the stories of women?
You can listen to my 60 second idea below:
By: Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
![Me running with arms outstretched to go meet M'aam Fri at my Grandfather's 90th birthday celebrations. Auntie Nana (M'aam Fri's daughter) in the middle](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/KA_8603-1024x682.jpg)
Meet Charlotte O’Neal aka ‘Mama C’ who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Charlotte O’Neal aka ‘Mama C’ who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Mama C was greatly influenced in her early years by the jazz, blues and gospel that Kansas City is famous for and integrates elements of that experience in both her music and the rhythm of her poetry along with the African beats and hip hop vibe of her spirit.
She explores the reality of her life as a Diaspora born African who has lived most of her years in Tanzania in many of her poems, one of the most famous being “I Almost Lost Myself”.
“As a member of the Black Panther Party I was taught the importance of building international solidarity among all people while honoring my Ancestral roots. That philosophy has never changed and many of my poems and songs reflect this burning desire and mission to spread peace, love and unity through my art”, Mama C reflects. “The spontaneous release of love that comes from poetry and music and art, in general… that thing that binds us all together and builds solidarity and understanding among all people no matter where they are from or what language they speak, is like magic!”
Her song writing and performing talents have been showcased on stage, television and radio in many cities in Africa and in America during the annual UAACC Heal the Community Tour. She launched her book of poetry, Warrior Woman of Peace in 2008 and plans to launch her second book of poetry titled Life Slices…a Taste of My Heaven, in 2013. Mama C debuted several of her newest poems during the Poetry Africa Tour 2010 to Cape Town, South Africa; Harare, Zimbabwe and Blantyre, Malawi and the 14th Annual Poetry Africa Festival in Durban, all sponsored by the Creative Arts Center at University of kwaZulu Natal.
Mama C is Co Director along with George Kyomoshulu, of the newly established Arusha Poetry Club in Arusha, Tanzania which serves as a platform for East African poets and artists around the planet. She recently completed her 4th music/spoken word album produced at Peace Power Productions studio at UAACC and she has directed and appeared in several music videos featuring East African artists.
http://soundcloud.com/mamac2011
YouTube channel: mamacharlotteuaacc
Mama C and Pete O’Neal are the subjects of two award winning documentaries about their lives and activism including American Exile narrated by Hollywood actress Alfre Woodard and the PBS documentary, A Panther in Africa by Aaron Matthews and she is one of the featured artists along with M1 of deadprez in a newly released documentary on art and activism by Michael Wanguhu titled Ni Wakati. http://www.pbs.org/itvs/globalvoices/pantherinafrica.html
http://www.niwakatithefilm.com/[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Mama C a été grandement influencée dans ses premières années par le jazz, le blues et le gospel pour lesquelq Kansas City est célèbre et intègre des éléments de cette expérience à la fois dans sa musique et le rythme de sa poésie avec les rythmes africains et hip hop dans l’ambiance de son esprit.
Elle explore la réalité de sa vie comme une membre de la diaspora africaine qui a vécu la plupart de ses années en Tanzanie dans plusieurs de ses poèmes, l’un des plus célèbre étant “Je me suis presque perdue».
“Etre membre du Black Panther Party m’a enseigné l’importance de renforcer la solidarité internationale entre toutes les personnes, tout en respectant mes racines ancestrales. Cette philosophie n’a jamais changé et beaucoup de mes poèmes et des chansons reflétent ce désir ardent et la mission de répandre la paix, l’amour et l’unité à travers mon art “, Reflète Mama C. “La libération spontanée de l’amour qui vient de la poésie et de la musique et de l’art, en général … cette chose qui nous lie tous ensemble et construit la solidarité et la compréhension entre toutes les personnes, peu importe d’où ils viennent ou quelle langue ils parlent, est comme par magie!”
Son don d’écriture de chansons et ses talents scéniques ont été présentés sur scène, à la télévision et à la radio dans de nombreuses villes en Afrique et en Amérique pendant la tournée annuelle ‘UAACC Heal the Community ‘. Elle a lancé son livre de poésie, Warrior Woman of Peace en 2008 et prévoit de lancer son deuxième recueil de poésie Life Slices…a Taste of My Heaven, en 2013. Mama C a débuté plusieurs de ses poèmes les plus récents lors de l’Africa Poetry Tour en 2010 au Cap, Afrique du Sud; Harare, Zimbabwe et Blantyre, Malawi et lors du 14ème Festival Poésie annuel d’Afrique à Durban, tous parrainés par le Centre des arts créatifs de l’Université du KwaZulu Natal.
Mama C est codirectrice avec George Kyomoshulu, du nouvellement créé Arusha Poetry Club à Arusha, en Tanzanie, qui sert de plate-forme pour les poètes et les artistes africains de l’Est autour de la planète. Elle a récemment terminé son 4e album de musique / slam produit par Peace Power Productions studio a UAACC et elle a dirigé et joué dans plusieurs vidéos de musique mettant en vedette des artistes d’Afrique orientale.
http://soundcloud.com/mamac2011
YouTube channel: mamacharlotteuaacc
Mama C et Pete O’Neal sont les sujets de deux documentaires primés sur leur vie et leur activisme dont leur American Exile narré par l’actrice hollywoodienne Alfre Woodard et le documentaire de PBS, une panthère en Afrique par Aaron Matthews et elle est l’un des artistes présentés avec M1 avec deadprez dans un documentaire récemment publié sur l’art et l’activisme par Michael Wanguhu intitulé Ni Wakati
http://www.pbs.org/itvs/globalvoices/pantherinafrica.htmlhttp:/
Meet Boakyewaa Glover who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Boakyewaa Glover who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
![Boakyewaa Glover](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Boakyewaa-1024x682.jpg)
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Boakyewaa Glover joins “Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution”, AWDF and Alliance Francaise Accra’s book slam this Friday in commeoration of ‘International Women’s Day’. Boakyewaa is the author of ‘Circles’, a gripping saga featuring a young woman who realises that her life increasingly goes around in …yup, you guessed it, circles.
On Sunday 3rd March, Boakyewaa performed a reading of Circles on the ‘Writers Project of Ghana’ show on Citi 97.3Fm in Ghana. Here she is reading a short clip.
Boakyewaa reading Circles.amr (AAC audio)
Boakyewaa has had a colorful and diverse career to date, including working as an Organizational Psychologist/Consultant for a number of consulting firms in New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Prior to that, she was a News Anchor for TV3 Network and a TV Presenter for Smash TV on Metro TV. Through it all, Boakyewaa’s passion and love for writing has grown steadily, and she’s gone from writing on computer rolls and scrap paper at age 6, to publishing Circles in 2009, with two additional books lined up for publication summer 2013.
Boakyewaa also maintains a blog of short stories, articles, poems and other content such as movie reviews. Beyond writing, Boakyewaa has three other very strong, and influencing passions. First is her dedication and commitment to her family and God; second is her avid interest in psychological and philosophical theories (she studied psychology both at NYU (graduate degree) and the University of Ghana (undergraduate degree); and third is her addiction to entertainment – particularly movies, TV, music and books. In this regard, Boakyewaa refers to herself as a connoiseur of life in general, and regards life as it is as her ultimate muse.
Boakyewaa Glover is currently a Change Management Manager working for Newmont Ghana Gold Limited.[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Boakyewaa Glover a rejoint «Femmes du monde: Parler d’une révolution”, lors du ‘ book slam’d’AWDF et de l’Alliance Française d’Accra ce vendredi à commémoration de la Journée internationale de la femme . Boakyewaa est l’auteure de «circles», une saga de prenante avec une jeune femme qui se rend compte que sa vie va de plus en plus autour de … oui, vous l’aurez deviné, cercles.
Le dimanche 3 Mars, Boakyewaa effectué une lecture de circles lors de la ‘Writers Project of Ghana’ sur Citi 97.3Fm au Ghana. Ici, elle est en train de lire un court extrait.
Boakyewaa lisant Circles.amr (AAC audio)
Boakyewaa a eu une carrière colorée et diversifiée jusqu’à ce jour, y compris un travail en tant que psychologue / Consultante organisationnelle pour un certain nombre de sociétés de conseil à New York, Atlanta et Washington, DC. Avant cela, elle était l’une des Nouvelles ‘Anchor’ pour le réseau TV3 et Présentatrice de télévision pour Smash TV sur Metro TV. À travers tout cela, la passion et l’amour de Boakyewaa pour l’écriture n’a cessé de croître, et elle est passée de l’écriture sur les listes informatiques et papier brouillon à 6 ans, à l’édition de circles en 2009, avec deux livres supplémentaires prévus pour une publication à l’été 2013.
Boakyewaa maintient également un blog d’histoires courtes, des articles, des poèmes et autres contenus tels que des critiques de films. Au-delà de l’écriture, Boakyewaa a trois autres passions très fortes, et d’influence. La première est son dévouement et son engagement envers sa famille et Dieu; la seconde est son vif intérêt pour les théories psychologiques et philosophiques (elle a étudié la psychologie à la fois à la NYU (diplôme d’études supérieures) et à l’Université du Ghana (diplôme de premier cycle); et la troisième est sa dépendance au divertissement – en particulier les films, la télévision, la musique et des livres dans ce domaine. A cet égard, Boakyewaa fait référence à elle-même comme une connaisseuse de la vie en général, et considère la vie comme elle est, comme sa muse ultime.
Boakyewaa Glover est actuellement gestionnaire de la gestion pour le changement en travaillant pour Newmont Ghana Gold Limited.[/tp]
Meet Poetra Asantewaa who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Poetra Asantewaa who will be performing at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
![Poetra Asantewa](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Poetra.jpg)
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]We’re really pleased to have Poetra Asantewa on the bill for our International Women’s Day book slam, ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution‘. She has been described as “a sensational balance of poetry, intellect, wit, and high-mindedness”. Poetra is the kind of poet who captives an audience. Here’s a taster of one of Poetra’s poems below. To read more of Poetra’s poetry check out her blog.[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Nous sommes vraiment heureux d’avoir Poetra Asantewa sur le projet International Women’s Day book slam, «Femmes du monde: parlant d’une révolution». Elle a été décrite comme “un équilibre sensationnel de la poésie, de l’intellect, de l’esprit, et de la grandeur d’âme”. Poetra est le genre de poète qui captivent une audience. Voici un avant-goût de l’un des poèmes de Poetra ci-dessous. Pour lire la suite de la poésie de Poetra veuillez consulter son blog.[/tp]
Liberate She
Shiny cars, heavy jewelry and bottle-shaped figures delivered with a kiss
In your face they worship you for keeping your sons close
Turn around; you’re the 21st century emperor with his new clothes
You get a lot of love, cos you’re nature’s most endowed child
They smile and say they called the goldsmith but it’s the digger’s number they dialed
Seeds with extra layers of sugar is planted, and the basic coon is unable to refrain
So we work our veins instead of our brains;Hold our hands to our heads like Hades threatened to come on land
And complain bitterly with still no reasonable plan
Our leaders fight for the torch and preach about unification
Handover our torches in exchange for flashlights and call it liberation
How do you build hurdles on a lane that’s meant to be fast?
“Who jails society when it does horrors to the people?” – the one who emanates greatness asks?Is liberation ticking yes just because everyone says blood is red?
Or not worrying about what they all think and preparing for what lays ahead by being well read?
Dancing barefoot in the rain, hair in a mess?
Or clicking heels in a thousand and one bracelets?
Compromising your art for a stack of bills?
Or loving what you do and getting satisfaction refills?
The fine line between liberation and manipulation we thread it in with hard core ignorance
We’re blind to the writing on the wall, – “liberate your minds, ‘fore you use your hands”
Meet Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe : Marcella Althaus-Reid Award winner who will be reading at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe : Marcella Althaus-Reid Award winner who will be reading at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
![Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Kuukua.jpg)
Kuukua is one of the many talented writers who will be participating in AWDF and Alliance Francaise (Accra)’s book slam for International Women’s Day, 8th March. She will also be sharing her thoughts on writing, and providing insights into some of her experiences that has inspired her particular writing style.
She characterizes herself as a memoirist, essayist, and writer of social commentary. Kuukua is the author of several essays and prose poems. Some of her essays have been anthologized in: African Women Writing Resistance (UW Press), Becoming Bi: Bisexual Voices from Around the World (BRC), and Inside Your Ear (Oakland Public Library Press). Her essay, “The Audacity to Remain Single: Single Black Women in the Black Church,” won the Marcella Althaus-Reid Award for best “Queer Essay,” and is anthologized in Queer Religion II (Praeger Publishers). Her piece of creative non-fiction, “Where is Your Husband: Single African Women in the Diaspora and the Exploration/Expression of Sexuality” is due to be published shortly. She has participated in the Voices of Our Nation residency at UC Berkeley.
She has her hands in three projects currently: The Coal Pot, a Culinary Memoir celebrating her Ghanaian roots, Musings of an African Woman, her blog which features a collection of personal essays about immigration and assimilation, and The Innocents, an adolescent mystery novel. She hopes to compile an anthology of stories by adult children of immigrant parents sometime late 2013. Her scholarly and writing interests lie at the intersection of race and skin color, African culture, Black women’s bodies, expression of voice, and non fictional writing.
She avidly feeds a voracious travel bug that occupies the hinterlands of her soul, so is often found wandering various parts of the world. She has been feeding her love-hate affair with Ghana for the past 4 months.
Even though she’s struggling with the adjustment to Ghana—irregular availability of water and electricity, men’s sexist attitudes, and the Traffic (nothing can adequately capture it), her vision for the country requires that she deal with her own participation in the brain drain. For now, she is enjoying being Addidas, which in Twi means eating and sleeping and doing it all over again. In her case, the occasional memoir or blog post thrown in for color.
Meet Monica Arac de Nyeko, 2007 Caine Prize Winner who will be reading at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
Meet Monica Arac de Nyeko, 2007 Caine Prize Winner who will be reading at ‘Women of the World: Talking about a Revolution’
![Monica Arac de Nyeko](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Monica.jpg)
Monica Arac de Nyeko is a Ugandan writer. She was shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African writing in 2004 for ‘Strange Fruit, winning the prize in 2007 for ‘Jambula Tree’ which was described by the chair of judges, Jamal Mahjoub, as “a witty and touching portrait of a community which is affected forever by a love which blossoms between two adolescents”.
In celebration of International Women’s Month, Monica will be participating in 2 events with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) and our partners Alliance Francaise (Accra). On Thursday 7th March Monica will join a panel of writers including Mamle Kabu, Mama C and Kuukua Yomekpe to hold a vibrant discussion on writing which will include sharing inspiration behind characters, experiences of writing, and may even include a tips for all the aspiring writers out there. On Friday the 8th of March, Monica will join writers, poets and a DJ in Ghana’s first ever book slam . This event costs GHC10 with proceeds supporting the work of AWDF.
![Cover page of 'Jambula Tree and Other Stories'](http://www.africlub.net/awdf/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/jambula-tree.jpg)