Creative In Accra

What's in a name; the privilege of introspection; collaborating with M3nsa: starting with a song and ending up with a movement; the gift of unlearning; launching a Kickstarter campaign and becoming part of a community; the colour of 2020; authenticity and storytelling as drivers of good media strategy, great event management, personal style and yoga; balancing perfectionism; emotional honesty with regards to conflict; the trap of 'extreme positivism'; embracing difference... @irenedonati @m3nsa https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mensaansah/bondzie-speak-up

On being an avid planner; building the community you want to live in; 'Woman Eat Me Whole' - the trials and tribulations of getting your poetry published and on not being "The Unicorn"; the city of Accra as the main character in a book of short stories; the politics and commercial approach to poetry; the importance of nurturing local, public and accessible platforms and spaces for creatives; the impact of workshops on self-awareness and growth; an exciting line-up for Tampered Press' upcoming workshop in January; the evolutionary nature of inspiration and creating systems that breed continuity; Toni Morrison as president... Twitter and Instagram @poetra_asantewa ; poetraasantewa.com ; blackgirlsglow.org ; tamperedpress.com ; Poetra Asantewa on all music/ audio platforms

What's up? I've been busy curating and creating with my tribe @thebeyondcollective . Sometimes, my different incarnations are going to interfere with my podcasting. I apologise for that, and I humbly ask you to bear with me. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes...

Thoughts on biogs; losing "mom" and embarking on the journey of becoming your best Self; TAC as a platform for biographical conversation and the reclaiming of narrative; time traveling to "The Source"... @omonblanks @tacorg ; photo credit Cate Lartey

I asked this question on social media, and here is a slightly edited version of the responses I received. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to answer.

How to commit murder; self exploration; adversity and standing up to bullies; taking ownership of your difference; the interconnectedness between different forms of creative expression; joy, aliveness, and creativity; what it takes to be a great press attachée to an artist- ie Prof Emeritus El Anastsui; Frida Kahlo on fortitude and resilience, with Bee Arthur @annabetya

When spontaneity is a symptom of control; the creative space to make errors; simplicity as a communication tool; Disney and the agenda driven methodology; fake-ness in mainstream media; boosting creativity through escaping the system; humour as a creative medium; talking to dogs; a political party named 'Giggles'; building comedy clubs, with James Finney - Father Finney's The Best A Man Can Get #podcast

The Darryl Chappell Grant and making amends; Feminism and allyship from the perspective of a "hunter and a sympathiser"; the birth of 'Africashowboy'- digital performance and "flaunting the continent"; storytelling and marrying the visual with the narrative, with the thought as the source and the visual as the "bait"; the other side of vulnerability; teaching responsibility, with Nana Kofi Acquah @africashowboy www.nkacquah.com www.nanakofiacquah.com

Reflection on the meaning and purpose of good #conversation ...

Reggae therapy, authenticity, creativity as a driver of healing, advice to a young would be podcaster, and motherhood as an opportunity for growth, with Carla Magdalene. https://www.facebook.com/staywellstaylearningstaywonderful/?ref=bookmarks https://www.instagram.com/carlamagdalene/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-magdalene-8b8685185/ www.wonderandwellbeing.com

Self care and beating Lockdown, the creative process and recently released track 'I no de bed', building structures and support systems, becoming the change, with M3nsa Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/5GQSDYH4c2IB7RBZD5Lb2s Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/m3nsa/377031448 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/M3NSA Twitter https://twitter.com/mensamusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/m3nsa

Fiction as truth, self worth and the creative process, teaching as an act of performance, and perspectives on identity, with Lesley Lokko @lesleylokko @whatsonatssa

Creativity and collaboration as drivers of social change, with Panji Anoff

On radical beauty, mental health, and ethical art dealing, with Bianca Ama Manu Twitter @BiancaAManu Instagram @bianca_a_manu

Passion, alignment, movement and integrity, with Francis Kokoroko @accraphoto @thestudioaccra

Creativity without borders and the virtual theatre experience, with Fiona Leonard @bluegoattheatre Tsolak MLKE-Galstyan @mihrtheatre Augustin Gressier @a_gressier Kelly Burke @kelly.e.burke Teya Quarmyne @le_teya as well as @petrosghazanchyan @roadstudio @nyaniq

The creative process- inquiry and reflection, personal growth, transformation and authenticity- with Nii Obodai Sorry about the Net hiccups: the bridges over 2 African skies are seldom stable...

This is an experiment and an introduction to my podcast. It could also be the dumbest thing I've ever had the pleasure to do!