Gurls Talk Ghana
March 31st 2019 saw Gurls Talk land in Accra Ghana for an epic, thought-provoking, soul-bearing and highly energised Gurls Talk Festival centred around a selection of panels.
The first hosted by Sharifah Issaka, a Ghanaian multi-disciplinary creative, discussed female entrepreneurs in Accra. With Regina Honu, CEO of Soronko Academy – The first coding and human-centered design academy in West Africa. Natasha Gordon, Director of SOLVNT and a specialist in African contemporary art who also spearheads strategy and communications for the African Modern Art Fund. Followed by Empress Jamlia of Empress Jamila Limited- a ‘Jill of all trades’, a stylist and businesswomen who also owns her own homeware company.
The second panel, led by our very own Adowa Aboah focused on the issue of mental health and led the conversation with Abena Korko Addo. A biomedical science graduate who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2015 and started a support group aided by the Mental Health Society of Ghana (Mehsog). The conversation then opened up to include the wider audience with a Q&A session.
The final panel focused on high-level initiatives in Ghana that support women. Compered by Dentaa Amoateng MBE, founder and CEO of GUBA enterprise. The panel also included Ruka Yaro De Liman, chairperson of the CAMFED transition advisory group, which supports young women graduates in rural areas to transition to secure livelihoods. Joined by Angela Asante, a special advisor to the president on gender equality, Dorkas Coker- Appiah, a lawyer by profession and executive director of the gender studies and human rights documentation centre and Petra Sanyamahwe, director of The Give Back Africa charity who offer refuge, help and advice to women who have suffered sexual abuse during their education and in the workplace.
Our community girls came out in full force to hear the panelists talk and discuss their trials, tribulations and achievements, dropping great gems of advice along the way. It was a day filled with music, conversation and pampering including our Gurls talk nail bar courtesy of Liona Artistry and a tie-dye station with Nike providing our community with T-shirts.
The day ended with a roof-raising dance workshop led by Incredible Zigi, a Ghanaian dance artist and choreographer whilst 10-year-old sensation DJ Switch, provided us with the banging beats.