Category: News

Suitably qualified individuals are invited to apply for a vacancy that has arisen at TrustAfrica.

Job Title: Communications Officer

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: Web Development and Maintenance Team

Liaises with: All staff

Job Location: Dakar, with regular international travel

Deadline for application: 15 November 2014

About TrustAfrica: TrustAfrica is an independent foundation that works to secure the conditions for democratic governance and equitable development on the continent. We work principally through collaboration and partnership with like-minded institutions and donors. Led by Africans, we convene dialogues, catalyze ideas and provide grants and technical assistance to organizations working to advance these goals.

Purpose of the position: The Communications Officer plays an integral role by communicating the relevance of our mission, disseminating the results and significance of our work and engaging a diverse range of audiences and partners. Broadly, the purpose of the role is to strengthen TrustAfrica’s reputation, deepen its resources and amplify its contribution to African philanthropy, good governance and equitable development.

Responsibilities:

The Communications Officer will lead the development and implementation of TrustAfrica’s communications strategy, aiming to:

• Raise TrustAfrica’s profile and strengthen its reputation as a leader in its areas of focus.
• Mainstream a robust communications strategy across the organization’s programs.
• Integrate the different thematic databases into state-of-the-art electronic portals or knowledge hubs.
• Deploy new information and communication technologies to transform TrustAfrica’s databases.
• Develop a digital communications strategy that incorporates TrustAfrica’s website, intranet, and social media as tools for learning and engagement.
• Create a multiyear communications plan to support program implementation and institutional presence.

Qualifications:

• Passion for and expertise in how to use technology and innovation to further African agency and social justice.
• Big picture thinker with demonstrated practical experience in translating vision and strategy into coherent objectives and activities.
• An enabler, a connector, someone who is able to facilitate the communications process across the organization.
• A superb communicator. Strong writing and editing ability in English. Capacity to speak and write in French would be an added advantage.
• A team player, coach, a helper with ability to work sensitively and collaboratively in a collegial environment and with people based in various locations.
• A postgraduate degree in communication, media or related disciplines, preferably with a focus on one of TrustAfrica’s core program areas.
• Capacity to interact with new forms of media and audience engagement strategies as well as evaluation and analytics.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in communications, including experience in building, managing and setting the strategic direction of a team.
• Proven track record in developing high quality publications, articles, and different types of creative text related to TrustAfrica’s issue areas.
• Desired: Experience with a regional or international NGO or a knowledge-generating institution that works to influence policy.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following application materials in English: a cover letter, a detailed CV describing your professional experience, and contact information for three references. Only complete applications will be considered.

Applications can be submitted to: info@trustafrica.org

Please include your telephone number and Skype in your cover letter and indicate the job title in the subject of your email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

TrustAfrica is an equal opportunity employer. Women and individuals from Africa and the diaspora are encouraged to apply.

The board and staff of the African Women’s Development Fund offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of Margaret Vogt, former UN Special Representative to the Central African Republic and a long time peace advocate and women’s rights activist. We mourn the passing of a trueAfrican leader and a great friend to AWDF, to social justice globally and to women’s rights in Africa. With her quiet, yet formidable spirit, Margaret was an inspiration to many – a change maker, mother, sister and wife, a colleague, a mentor and a friend – she will be greatly missed.

Please see the tribute website for Margaret at: http://www.tributes.com/obituary/guestbook/Margaret-Aderinsola-Vogt-101729704.

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)

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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]

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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

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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

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Nana is one of the most badass women I know.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.]

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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

Position: Finance/Operations Manager

Location: Accra, Ghana

Reports To: Regional Manager

Division: Education Programs Division

About IREX

IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally. We enable local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education, independent media, and strong communities. To strengthen these sectors, our program activities also include conflict resolution, technology for development, women and youth.

Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $70 million and a staff of over 400 professionals worldwide. IREX employs field-tested methods and innovative uses of technologies to develop practical and locally-driven solutions with our partners in more than 100 countries.

Summary of Position

The Finance/Operations Manager will be responsible for the administrative and financial management of the program, including budget management, procurement, logistics, human resources and operations. The Finance/Operations Manager will support the program staff in preparing financial reports, maintaining currency flow control, office administration, and purchasing. The Finance/Operations Manager will coordinate closely IREX Program and Finance staff based in Washington, DC.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Assist in implementing financial policies and procedures
• Assist in establishing, maintaining, and reconciling the office ledger
• Assist in preparing and reconciling bank statements and accounts
• Ensure transactions are properly recorded and reported through the Quick Books accounting software system
• Assist in preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and transaction reports
• Maintain all computerized accounting systems and records
• Maintain and monitor all active accounts to ensure accurate records of all project funds
• Prepare and process payments
• Prepare payment reconciliations
• Submit monthly financial reports to senior staff members
• Prepare financial forecasts
• Process VAT returns and all other local tax obligations to the appropriate local government agencies
• Prepare expense reports for IREX office and project staff
• Ensure compliance with donor and IREX policies and procedures as well as local law in all IREX expenditures
• Ensure compliance with donor and IREX policies and procedures as well as local law in all contracts, agreements, and sub agreements before they are signed, including but not limited to selection procedures; documentation requirements, compliance with approval authorizations and authorization levels
• Coordinate and direct administrative support functions
• Assist in inputting budget information into office data systems
• Maintain the office payroll records and manage employee payment
• Maintain financial files and records
• Manage office petty cash
• Ensure that all procurement is in compliance with local government, U.S. Government and IREX regulations
• Assist with office inventory
• Assist with logistics of trainings
• Perform other related duties as required

Skills and Qualifications:

• Legal Resident of Ghana with Authorization to Work
• University experience; in possession of a degree/diploma in the field of Accounting or Business Administration
• Experience with the Quick Books accounting software package preferred
• Knowledge and experience managing office financial environments
• Knowledge and experience with Ghanaian local tax and reporting process
• Professional commitment and work ethic
• 3 years of experience and knowledge of relevant tasks is preferred
• 3 years working with NGOs in finance and administration is preferred
• English fluency required; French proficiency preferred

 

To Apply

Go to http://www.irex.org/careers and click on Current Openings. Then click on the corresponding position and apply through our website. Please supply a resume and a cover letter with your application. If you are creating a new profile you need to do so and then go back in to apply for a position.

 

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
AA/EOE/M/F/D/V

Once I became aware of myself, it occurred to me that maybe I should add to the world’s store of stories.

-Ama Ata Aidoo

 

On 17^th September, The African Women’s Development Fund launched The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo, a documentary on the life and work of critically acclaimed Ghanaian author, Ama Ata Aidoo, at the British Council in Accra. The documentary was directed and produced by Yaba Badoe and co-produced by Amina Mama for Fadoa Films. AWDF contributed 40% funding for the project with the remaining 60% accumulated through crowdsourcing on IndieGogo.

 

AWDF CEO, Theo Sowa, introduced the documentary and its protagonist with these words: “Here we celebrate one of our icons – an African leader who pushes for social justice and change. She has done so much for all of us. She’s marked by a love for her people today and forever. Using an evocative and magical medium, Yaba and Amina have helped us to understand this phenomenon in our world. She is representative of African women who are strong, agile, and flexible and have been leaders on our continent for ages. Her words will continue as a model for younger generations.”

Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo

Prof. Esi Sutherland-Addy, who served as a member of the film’s Advisory Committee, also offered opening remarks. She humored the audience with her personal insights of the writer, describing her ‘feisty’ character, praising her rare ability to reflect critical questions in her characters, and her adeptness at baking pineapple pie. As Sutherland-Addy mused, “This film plunges us deep into Ama Ata Aidoo’s world. She is a playwright, essayist, poet, novelist, short story writer, academic and politically conscious intellectual. What force caused such a person to emerge in our literary scene?” She highlighted the need for women’s stories to be told and encouraged events such as these to promote the visibility of African women.

Prof. Esi Sutherland Addy’s opening remarks

Kinna Likimani, Ama Ata Aidoo’s daughter, spoke on her mother’s behalf stating how “increasingly pensive and nervous she became as we were getting closer to this day. She kept saying, there’s so much exposure!” Kinna revealed that three books had been written about Aidoo’s life detailing that this was a great accomplishment preceding the documentary. Kinna shared, “She has labored to write while being an African woman – also mother, grandmother, daughter, caregiver, teacher and philanthropist. She struggles to be appreciative of what she’s done, mournful about the books she hasn’t written.”

 

Kinna explained that, “growing up, no one in her life discouraged her from writing.” In fact, Aidoo was supported by anchors from her early days in Abeadzi Kyiakor to her studies at Wesley Girls [where a teacher gave her a typewriter] and the University of Ghana-Legon, teaching at the University of Cape Coast and working within an evolving sisterhood of African women writers. Kinna continued, “her life is situated within a community of women writers, academics and filmmakers. In many ways, this documentary is a coming together of African women creators.”

 

Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo and Kinna Likimani

In the film, Aidoo’s writing journey is documented through snippets of her life history. She reads excerpts from a diverse archive including Dilemma of a Ghost (1965), Our Sister Killjoy (1977) and Changes: A Love Story (1991). This adds a serene pace to the tone of the documentary. The film portrays her relationship with mentor Efua Sutherland and fellow writers Mariama Ba and Buchi Emecheta, among others.

 

Aidoo’s story takes the audience on her journey from start to finish. The film also illustrates how Aidoo’s love of storytelling came from her mother who would share stories in the early hours of the morning. An insistence on showing her hometown gave the audience a better insight into the early days of her life there as daughter of a chief and part of the royal family. Aidoo explains the Fante folktale culture of her childhood, giving the audience an opportunity to witness a story being performed live with music and dance.

 

Her ability as a writer to develop complex characters that signal the demands of social life is matched by a close attention to the contradictions within relationships. As Aidoo muses in the film, “Ghanaians have always been nervous about the presence of people from the diaspora here. This is in part because they remind us of what we don’t want to deal with. In the wake of the slave trade, we ourselves were colonized. We were conquered and we have not really dealt with the implications of colonization…So the relationship between us and the African diaspora is charged.”

 

Her literary diversity is further highlighted in the range of stories she tells. The stories are timeless in the sense that the characters and attitudes portrayed are still very much relevant today as is evident in No Sweetness Here (1970). Aidoo is also a strong believer in the capacity of African communities to solve problems experienced. She uses literature to encourage her audience to consider social issues more seriously.

 

A Q+A followed with the filmmakers and Aidoo providing greater insights into her personality and range of work. As Ghana’s Minister of Education from 1983-84, she encouraged the recruitment and development of women teachers. Aidoo shared that this is the accomplishment she was most proud of during her tenure. Ultimately, the author left this position because writing is and has always been her calling. The scene that stood out most in the film was how speechless Aidoo was by the crowd’s reaction at the close of Anowa, performed by theater students from the University of California, Santa Barbara. The performance of Aidoo’s work by these students translates the vast impact of her work not only for Literature but also for Theater and Performance Studies. There is also a deep sense that Aidoo is impacted by the influence her work has achieved among fellow writers and admirers.

Open forum with Yaba Badoe, Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo, Prof. Esi Sutherland Addy and Amina Mama

Ama Ata Aidoo discussed her own struggle with publishers and the lack of support in the publishing world for African writers, particularly African women writers. She highlighted that this was now changing with the success of writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This conversation sparked a fundraising call to boost AWDF’s support of women organizations in Art, Culture and Sports. DVDs of the film were then auctioned and pledges were made by multiple audience members, totaling more than 11,000GHC.

Abigail Burgesson auctioning copies of the Documentary

The filmmakers also discussed the challenges experienced making The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo over the last three years. Yaba Badoe and Amina Mama gave greater perspective on the process of creating a documentary and encouraged more women to get into the filmmaking practice by portraying the affirming aspects of African cultures. Amina Mama detailed, “Many people outside of the continent are only interested in Africans suffering. We did experience difficulty in mobilizing resources for the film. But we can never let money detain us because we have great things to do. This film is a movement and it built its own community.”

 

By Shakira Chambas and Sionne Neely

Photos by Seth Adu-Amankwah

 

Background

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), an Africa wide women’s rights grant making foundation based in Accra, Ghana requires the services of a Communications and Fundraising Specialist who will work within the Office of the Chief Executive Officer.

Job Summary

The post holder will be responsible for managing the diverse communications needs of the organization, working closely with the CEO and other members of the fundraising and communications team. Knowledge of managing websites, social media tools, microsoft office, good writing skills, strong communications experience and events organising are essential. The ability to speak and write French will be an advantage.

Deadline: 10th October 2014

Location: Accra, Ghana

Specific Duties:

• To provide strategic oversight, develop and manage AWDF’s diverse communication needs
• To strengthen and implement AWDF’s communications strategy, including in the following ways:
  • compile regular newsletters, grantee stories and updates for the AWDF and African Feminist Forum(AFF) websites, associated social media channels and other communications outlets as identified
  • be proactive, prompt and timely in communicating briefs on emerging issues involving women and girls on the continent
  • conduct and write up various interviews, including of African women leaders and AWDF’s grantee partners
  • update specific social media tools.
  • organise a range of outreach events
  • write and produce publications, reports, press releases, statements and flyers for diverse constituencies
  • be proactive in identifying new communications opportunities for AWDF, its staff, its grantees and networks
  • To develop and manage AWDF’s communications databases with contacts and details of AWDF’s key stakeholders.
  • lead on the organisation of key events in the AWDF calendar including International Women’s Day celebrations and the organisation of the African Women in Film Forum
• To lead on programmatic communications activities as part of AWDF’s non grant making activities and to provide advice, guidance and ideas regarding communications in AWDF’s thematic grantmaking areas
• To provide fundraising communications support as well as report/proposal writing to donors and other stakeholders
• To provide special communications support to the Office of the CEO and to Special Programmes, including in building AWDF’s portfolio of individual donors
• To support the communication needs and training of AWDF staff and grantee partners
• To act as the key contact person to the media
• To build communication partnerships and key media alliances
• To collect and prepare stories capturing the impact of AWDF’s work and our grantee partners
• Analyse the impact of AWDF’s communications activities
• Any other reasonable duties assigned

Essential Knowledge and Experience:

• Education to graduate degree level
• Experience of managing communications programmes and activities in a range of settings, but particularly in media, civil society or social justice organisations
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)
• Excellent IT skills
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work democratically and effectively with diverse groups and people.
• Ability to work to work to tight deadlines.
• Strong commitment to social justice, women’s rights and social change

Qualifications

• University degree in the social sciences, preferably in Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or other related discipline.

• Working knowledge of French will be an advantage, as will experience in fundraising and resource mobilization.

Qualified candidates should send typed applications and a CV of not more than 3 pages to the Human Resource Manager, African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), 78 Ambassadorial Enclave, East Legon, P.M.B.CT 89, and Cantonments Accra Ghana. Copies should be sent by email to ninson@africlub.net/awdf with ‘Communications and Fundraising Specialist’ as the subject reference. Applications should reach AWDF no later than October 10, 2014.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for additional information and interviews

In September 2013, the African Women’s Development Fund convened the 2nd African Women in Film Forum (AWIFF) in Accra, Ghana. This event brought together film makers, producers, writers and content creators together around the theme, ‘Creating Compelling Social Justice Content for Film and Television’.

This 2nd AWIFF focused on storytelling as a way to foreground African women’s stories. For the AWIFF participants, producing creative audio-visual content emanates from a desire to tell radical and evocative stories. Speakers, panelists and participants described the conversations and discussions to be “thought-provoking,” “revealing,” “inspiring,” yet “agitating” and “challenging”. For many, the forum offered an opportunity to engage creatively about process and develop strategic alliances with fellow filmmakers and cultural producers, both within and across borders.

Download the full report of the 2nd AWIFF from our resources page by clicking here

In July of this year, AWDF in partnership with the Ugandan Women Writers Association held a 10 day residential writers workshop led by Yewande Omotoso and Mamle Kabu. The workshop brought together 26 African women writers from 10 African countries. During the period, the writers honed skills, learnt new tips and techniques, and perhaps most important of all, committed to amplifying their work and those of other African women writers.

African Women Write (AWW14) is a document which details the writers (including facilitators and the coordinating team) who constitute #AWW14. In case you are wondering what that hashtag means, its the acronym that was coined for ‘African Women Writers’ with 14 representing the year this workshop took place. Find some of our tweets via that hashtag on twitter and check out the storify that HOLAAfrica pulled together from our 10 day frenzy of live tweeting.

 

 

 

 

By: Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah,

Communications Specialist, AWDF

 

 

 

AFRICAN WOMEN IN CINEMA

AWDF would like to extend a big congratulations to Yaba Badoe who has been nominated for the ‘Distinguished Woman of African Cinema Award’ alongside Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche and Lupita N’yongo! The award is given by the International images Film Festival for Women(IIFF) biennially, IIFF being a programme of Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe which is celebrated in five countries – Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and Somalia with the support of the EU-ACP programme for ACP cinema. WFOZ “zooms in on women”.

AWDF is proud to have been able to support two of Yaba Badoe’s projects, “The Witches of Gambaga’ and ‘The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo!’

 

Yaba Badoe, born in 1955, is a Ghanaian-British documentary filmmaker, journalist and author. She left Ghana to pursue an education in Britain at a very young age. A graduate of King’s College, Cambridge, Badoe worked as a civil servant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana,before beginning her career in journalism as a trainee at the BBC. She also was a researcher at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana. She has taught in Spain and Jamaica and has worked as a producer and director making documentaries for the main television channels in Britain. Among her credits are: Black and White, an investigation into race and racism in Bristol, using hidden video cameras for BBC1; I Want Your Sex, an arts documentary exploring images and myths surrounding black sexuality in Western art, literature, film and photography, for Channel 4; and the six-part series Voluntary Service Overseas for ITV.

In addition to making films, Badoe is a creative writer, her first novel, True Murder, being published by Jonathan Cape in 2009 Her short story “The Rivals” was included in the anthology African Love Stories (Ayebia, 2006), edited by Ama Ata Aidoo. Badoe directed and co-produced (with Amina Mama) the documentary film The Witches of Gambaga, which won Best Documentary at the Black International Film Festival in 2010, and was awarded Second Prize in the Documentary section of FESPACO 2011.Her next film project is entitled The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo.

AWDF supports its grantee organisations in Liberia to fight Ebola

With the current onslaught of the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia and the threat it continues to pose, AWDF is supporting three of its grantees in Liberia to help intensify educational activities around the prevention of Ebola. In all, AWDF has awarded $20,000 to three women’s rights organisations in Liberia to undertake a series of educational activities to intensify prevention education and knowledge around this deadly disease.

The groups are listed below:

1. The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Market Women’s Fund (SMWF) has been awarded a grant of $10,000 to join the national government and partners to ease the spread of the ebola virus by creating mass awareness among market women across the country. SMWF will be working in 7 markets across the country.

The SMWF is a grantee of AWDF that seeks to improve the infrastructure of markets in Liberia and create a knowledge-based environment for women traders. It provides them with credit, health care, childcare facilities, storage facilities, sanitary facilities and literacy opportunities.

 

2. New Liberian Women Organisation/Skills Training Centre has been awarded a grant of $ 5,000 to undertake a series of educational activities on the Ebola outbreak within selected communities in Careysburg city, Bentol city, Yeantown and Cruzerville. NLWO will be using community appropriate methodologies such as music and dancing to reach out these communities

New Liberian Women Organisation/Skills Training CentreLiberia works with young, unemployed women empowering them through skills training and advocacy. The organisation currently operates in Ghana and Liberia. The main beneficiaries of the organisation are Liberian Refugee women and children.

 

3. Women and Children Development Association of Liberia (WOCDAL) has been awarded a grant of $ 5,000 to sensitize members of 3 densely populated communities in Montserrado County in Liberia on the prevention of Ebola. The awareness activities will cover Newkru Town (Duala, St. Paul Bridge, Point 4 and Red Hill) and Caldwell (Mombo Town East, Mombo Town West, New Georgia Junction and Samukai Town). This project is intended to spread relevant messages about the Ebola virus and help a selected group of community members become focal persons for deepening knowledge on the prevention of Ebola. WOCDAL will be using singing, dancing and dramatic performance as an awareness creation strategy to reach out to these communities.

WOCDAL is one of the AWDF grantees in Liberia. WOCDAL seeks to improve the wellbeing of children and young women. They have a skills training center for out of school young women as well as a school for needy children. WOCDAL operates in five counties namely: Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Lofa and Nimba-Grand Dedeh.