Join The Nana Project for our online festival celebrating Ghana's history!

This panel will explore the evolution of Ghanaian music and the stories and histories Ghanaian music tells us about the nation and its people. Using the stories two legedary musicians tell through their music, we will explore the birth of Ghana as a nation and the cultural, social and political themes of their time, as a way into the concerns of the people of Ghana.

Moderator: 

Paulina Nkansah 

Agya Koo Nimo

Gyedu Blay Ambolley 

In the Akan language of Twi “Abakɔsem” means ‘history’ or, more specifically, ‘the fact that has come and gone’.

The Abakɔsem Festival is an online festival dedicated to celebrating Ghana’s rich history. It will be a space for Ghanaians, at home and in the diaspora, and people interested in Ghana’s history to critically engage with the history of our nation through panels, interviews, an online exhibition, and thought-provoking quiz night. With the support of historians, visual artists, writers, curators, and musicians, The Nana Project will explore the political and social history, music, photography, and fashion that shaped Ghana from the 20th century to the present day.

The Legacy in Print panel will discuss the work of photographers in highlighting Ghana's history and culture as well as the work of curators and curating institutions in preserving, archiving, and displaying photography as an art form. 

Backward Never: A Political History Retrospective-2pm GMT/ 9am EST 

Legacy in Print: Photographing a Nation-4pm GMT/11am EST 

Weaving the Fabric of a Nation: Ghana's Tapestry-6pm GMT/1pm EST 

The Beat of a Nation: The Evolution of Ghana's Music- 3pm GMT/10am EST 

Trivia Quiz- 5pm GMT/ 12pm EST