They say the best things in life are free and when it comes to visiting Ghana, I would say that is possible to view some of the fascinating aspects of the country – without spending a fortune – and still learn about her heritage, and cultures.
Growing up in 80s England and overhearing the conversations from ‘uncles’ and ‘aunties’ on conditions in Ghana under Flight Lieutenant JJ Rawlings’ military rule, I remember the image created of this imposing figure was never favourable. I had uncles who vowed never to step foot on Ghanaian soil because of the turmoil they or family members had experienced under his regime. I didn’t really understand why but that feeling of wariness continued during subsequent trips to the Motherland when he was the Head of State.
Continue reading “The Trial of J.J Rawlings (2nd edition) – a review”
Ernest Kofi Abbeyquaye has been in the film-making business since the early 60s and before that had a childhood talent for telling stories. Continue reading “In conversation with film-maker legend Ernest Abbeyquaye”
An East London family had no idea that two bags of letters brought back from Ghana would become the subject of a ground-breaking exhibition. Continue reading “Brixton exhibition preserves Ghana’s past”
Alice Childress’ play ‘Trouble in Mind’ is the ultimate conundrum for those of us who face racial discrimination and are forced to navigate the sometimes uncertain road of being black in a white world. Continue reading “‘Trouble in Mind’ – a review of a timeless US play”
Too many times, I have heard the African continent described as a country with one homogeneous ethnic group.
Considering that the continent is 30.4 million square metres (m2) in size, dwarfing Russia at 17.1m2, according to Nature America, and easily swallows up China, India, the US and most of Europe, isn’t it about time her true might is reflected properly? Continue reading “(1) Africa 53: Exploring the continent’s diversity”
It is not every day that you come across papers that give you some indication about your heritage and family history. This happened to one East London family that can trace their ancestry to a Ghanaian royal from the Ewe nation. Continue reading “Brixton exhibition to showcase life of Ewe Royal in papers”
I just came back from the Ghana 60 years on, mobilising Ghana’s future event – staged at London university SOAS. In a nutshell, I would have to say that there was more politics going on behind the scenes than was discussed during the session. Continue reading “Ghana 60 years on through the eyes of a filmmaker”
On the day that one of the last political prison mates of Nelson Mandela died, a South African play capturing life at the notorious Robben Island was released. Continue reading “Shakespeare and the Robben Island prisoners that inspired a play”
I start this blog on the premise that most of us accept today that Africa is the cradle of mankind and that despite the geographical and political demarcations that separate North and Sub-Saharan Africa, all its inhabitants were originally one. Continue reading “Cheikh Anta Diop – The Pharaoh of Knowledge”
Art historian Dr Gus Casely-Hayford will visit Ghana in November to mark the centenary of the London-based School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Continue reading “A talk with historian Dr Gus Casely-Hayford”
This arresting image of South African chorister Eleanor Xiniwe, who toured Britain as part of the African Choir between 1891 and 1893, lay forgotten for over 100 years. Continue reading “Britain’s Black trailblazers”
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