Tag: Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
STANDING ON AFRICAN FEMINIST LAND : A reflection by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
STANDING ON AFRICAN FEMINIST LAND : A reflection by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
The African Feminist forum was an event full of revolutionary love and heated discussion. It was a time of growth, and a time of healing. It was a time for us as Feminists to just be. Below is a reflection on the experiences of an AFF alum, and renowned blogger and the media co-coordinator for AWID. Find out more about AWID and the original piece here.
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STANDING ON AFRICAN FEMINIST LAND
On my first day in Zimbabwe I visited the National Museum of Science. Above the doorway of the anteroom hung a picture of Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana, with the caption ‘MAPFUPA ANGU ACHAMUKA’. This was translated to me to mean, “my bones will rise”. Nehanda was a spirit medium active in the first Zimbabwe Chimurenga [1]. She inspired her people in the liberation struggle, refused to convert to Christianity and was sentenced to death by the colonisers. The story is told that Nehanda went singing and dancing to the gallows declaring, “my bones will rise” to win freedom.
An image of a poster at the National Museum of Science, Harare. (Photo: Nana Darkoa)
I have always felt strongly that Zimbabwean women embody resistance. Women in Zimbabwe took active part in the liberation struggles for independence as fighters and comrades. In my 2008 interview with Margaret Dongo, a former freedom fighter, she emphasized, “there were no rubber bullets for women”. On the warfront, women and men were trained in a similar manner, women did not get preferential treatment.
A Milestone on the #AfriFem Journey
The resistance, creativity and strength of Zimbabwean women resonated in the fourth African Feminist Forum (AFF) held in Harare from 10-12 April 2016. The presence of over 160 African feminists from 32 African countries and the Diaspora amplified and multiplied the energy of the Zim sisters.
Sisters from South Africa sang, “…this land is women’s land…” and right there, in the hall of Rainbow Towers, it felt as if we were standing on African feminist land.
As someone who has been lucky enough to attend three consecutive AFFs, I felt a different energy at #AFFZim. The space felt more radical, it was clear that the AFF had been on a journey, and suitably on its 10th anniversary had grown into a more formidable space. A space that confidently said, “We are feminist. No ifs. No buts”. A space full of young feminists, queer bodies, academics, differently abled women, sex workers, older women… A space with sisters from all parts of our continent across our various arbitrary colonial divisions – activists from Egypt, Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Botswana, Angola, South Africa, Mauritania, Uganda… emphasizing the need for us to continue to build solidarity across our movements, and to create spaces which welcome us in all our diversities.
Nurturing the Body and Soul
Wellness was weaved into the entire AFF programmeof the AFF with some of us waking up early to shake what our collective Mamas gave us at Zumba classes with Kuda whilst the more zen sisters worked on their downward dog poses. We did not forget about the importance and benefits of sexuality and its links to well being. In an evening session on ‘Sexuality and the Well of Being’ we shared about a variety of sexual experiences and I had the pleasure of passing dildos around the room with Iheoma Obibi and Prudence Mabelele, my collaborateurs in sex positivity.
Highlights & Lowlights
We spoke about the continued need to dismantle patriarchy in all its forms. Sisters from Zimbabwe shared that they had nicknamed patriarchy ‘Patrick’. In speaking on ‘New Faces of Patriarchy’, Bisi Adeleye Fayemi extended the metaphor and reminded us that we needed to work against both ‘Patrick’ and ‘Patricia’.
In a session on ‘Protest Movements’, we heard from Thenjiwe Mswane about the #FeesMustFall movement, its non-hierarchical leadership structure and the recent exclusion of feminist and queer bodies within the movement. Marian Kirollos spoke about the ongoing struggles in Egypt, and the prominent role that women continued to play in the continued uprising. Dorothy Njemanze reminded the audience that the secondary school girls abducted from Chibok, Nigeria represent a tiny fraction of the thousands of girls captured and forced into sexual slavery by terrorists and militias.
In breakout sessions, we discussed the importance of creating feminist cultural spaces, documenting our stories by writing and blogging, and the connections that need to be made amongst our feminist diasporas for Pan-African organizing across the world.
As with every gathering of passionate, strong-minded sisters, we had our moments of tensions and disagreement. I was with the crew that felt, ‘what is this respectability politics?’ when one too many Aunties sighed about how ‘young women are showing all their breasts and vaginas on social media’.
Kampire Bahana from Uganda challenged this eloquently, pointing out that this was part of a purity narrative. Some younger queer sisters spoke up about feeling a level of discomfort and silencing in the space. We were all reminded that we needed to be conscious and attentive to the various forms of privileges that we carry.
As in all previous AFFs that I have attended, I left feeling inspired and reinvigorated to continue in my life of activism, knowing that I have sisters all over the continent and globe who stand with me, and whose work and dynamism continues to blaze a path for those to come.
Farewell Nana: A Big Thank You from AWDF
Farewell Nana: A Big Thank You from AWDF
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
How to leverage digital technologies for fundraising success
How to leverage digital technologies for fundraising success
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]On the 22nd of May 2014, I had the pleasure of delivering a session on ‘Leveraging digital technologies for fundraising success’ as part of Fundraising Online 2014. I shared case studies from The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo, Spectra Speaks and the Korle Bu Family Fund.
For those who missed the session please see the power point below. Do share your tips of successful fundraising using digital technologies in the comments box.[/tp]
[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Le 22 mai 2014, j’ai eu le plaisir de donner une session sur «Capitaliser sur les technologies numériques pour la réussite de la collecte de fonds» dans le cadre de la collecte de fonds en ligne 2014. Je partageais les études de cas de The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo, Spectra Speaks et de Korle Bu Family Fund.
Pour ceux qui ont manqué la session s’il vous plaît voir ci-dessous le power point. N’hésitez pas à partager vos conseils de collectes de fonds réussies en utilisant les technologies numériques dans la boîte de commentaires.
By: Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
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
What’s new in African feminisms: Pop, People and Politics
What’s new in African feminisms: Pop, People and Politics
On the 10th of March, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) and the African Feminist Forum (AFF) organised a panel discussion on ‘What’s new in African feminisms: Pop, People and Politics‘ as part of the WOW festival at the Southbank Centre in London. Resource persons were Jessica Horn, a founding member of the AFF, writer and women’s rights consultant; Rita Ray, DJ, Presenter and African music specialist; Meklit Hadero, musician, cultural activist, and Senior TED fellow, and Pontso Mafete, Programme Manager for Women and Girls at Comic Relief UK. The panel was facilitated by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, AWDF’s Communications Specialist.
The dynamic panel addressed the issue of what exactly African feminisms involves, shared details of African feminist led initiatives on the continent, discussed the potential popular culture has to change gender inequity and invited the audience to send in tracks for the compilation of an African feminist mixtape (please email your track choice to communications [at] africlub.net/awdf). Questions from the floor were engaging and included a desire to know more about African politics on the continent and a reminder that African women politicians need support (whilst being held accountable) by the African women’s movement.
Footage from the event can be viewed via
AWDF’s support of Open Forum 2012: Money, Power & Sex
AWDF’s support of Open Forum 2012: Money, Power & Sex
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is pleased to support the Open Forum 2012 on the theme of ‘Money, Power and Sex’. This event takes place from the 22nd -25th May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in South Africa.
On Tuesday 22nd May in room 2.62 at the CTICC, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, AWDF’s Communications Officer will moderate a session on:
“Organising Online: Feminists share experiences of cyber activism” with panelists Hakima Abbas, (Executive Director, Fahamu); Gathoni Blessol, (Co-Founder of Watetezihaki Platform); Jan Moolman, (Association for Progressive Communications); Minna Salami, (Blogger & Writer, Ms Afropolitan); and Spectra Speaks (Afrofeminist WriterArtivist, and Executive Editor of Queer Women of Color and Friends). In this conversation, feminists from Africa and the Diaspora share details of their online activism, connecting with feminists online, managing safety and security online, and linkages between online and offline activism.
On Wednesday 23rd May in the main auditorum Theo Sowa, Interim CEO of AWDF will provide an overview of ‘Power’ and its connections to Money and Sex.
AWDF looks forward to connecting with participants attending the 2012 Open Forum.
