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Welcome to our first podcast in October during Black History Month UK.

Author Elvin James Mensah's second novel 'White Spaces' explores Black masculinity through the compelling voice of British-Ghanaian music journalist Teddy and is a story about four friends: Teddy, Birch, Cain and Nathan, that challenges the often binary views of what it means to be Black and male. 

‘White Spaces’ explores themes around sexuality, mental health, and interrogates friendships and family relationships. And if you've read Elvin's first book: 'Small Joys', you'll notice a familiar character that appears and some similar themes. This interview was recorded in September 2026. And you can check out our previous Small Joys interview with Elvin on Season 5, episodes 8 & 9. 

• S5 Ep8| CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP in 'Small Joys' part 1 with author Elvin James Mensah

https://pod.link/1581238094/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xNDQwOTM0Mw

• S5 Ep9| DEVELOPING YOUR WRITING VOICE in 'Small Joys' part 2 with author Elvin James Mensah

https://pod.link/1581238094/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xNDQwOTM0Mw

• The White Spaces music playlist: https://tr.ee/k6o__NYPwF
• Find out more about Elvin James Mensah: https://www.instagram.com/elvinjamesmensah/

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

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You were just listening to Hansia Essuman, Creative Lead at Banah Heights Ltd who holds I hold a BA in Architecture from Central University in Ghana, a Master’s in Urban Planning and Design at the University of Georgia in the USA.

In the episode, Hansia mentions embarking on a second Master's in Housing Management and Policy. Since this podcast was recorded, the course has been upgraded to a PhD in Housing Management and Policy at the University of Georgia in the USA.

In the clip you just heard, Hansia recounted the moment she collapsed just months away from completing her architecture degree in Ghana and during a period when she had lost her father – an important figure in her life who had shaped her interest in building construction as a child.

In this, our 12th episode of AKADi Magazine’s Connecting Communities podcast and our final for our eighth season, we follow Hansia’s engaging storytelling as she explains how, against all odds she pursues her path into the architecture industry, and tells us how she plans to apply her training in the USA to tackle Ghana’s urban planning challenges.  

Novara Media - This Chinese Policy Change is a Massive Deal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eotvnm_UDek

S7 Ep12| BUILDING LEGACIES - a conversation with pioneering architect Elsie Owusu

https://pod.link/1581238094/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xNzgyNjA1OA

Ghanaians Abroad

https://www.akadimagazine.com/home/categories/ghanaians-abroad

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Kyekyeku talks to us about how he turned his passion for Palmwine music and Highlife into a career. 

He explains how guitar master Agya Koo Nimo became his mentor while he was at university studying a completely different topic and explains how he is immortalising living legend Agya Koo Nimo and other greats in his music.

Connect with Kyekyeku and his music here: https://www.instagram.com/yo_kye/

Stream his music here: https://soundcloud.com/kyekyeku

Listen to George Williams Aingo here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5EolQQ55AaQIK72jgR08lL

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

Send us Fan Mail

Dr Hannah Brew is a portfolio GP who was diagnosed with the rare condition that causes muscle weakness, not long after starting work in the UK.

She tells us how she navigated life with myasthenia gravis, the impact on her career choices and why we should all have more compassion when it comes to hidden disabilities. 

This episode was recorded in February 2026 and edited by KAmo. 

Learn more about Myasthenia Gravis

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/myasthenia-gravis/

Hannah’s social media details

https://www.thekairoxhealth.com/about-dr-hannah-brew/

https://www.instagram.com/hanbrew08/

https://youtube.com/@maverickmedtv?si=KMdQgRc_zRQxc_fo

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

Send us Fan Mail

 In February 2026, Michael Kwadwo Donkor joined our book club and left us inspired as we discussed Hold – a coming-of-age book that explores the role of women, attitudes to sexuality, mental health and the tension between culture and identity. 

The book follows three teenage girls. Two live in a town near Kumasi, Ghana's Asante Region and are housemaids for a well-to-do family. The third teenager we meet later in the book is from South London.  During the course of the book, the worlds of the housegirl- Belinda, and London-born teenager collide.

HarperCollins described Hold as a "powerful new British literary voice". In the US, the book is titled Housegirl.

Have you read Hold?

Check out writer Kwame Ofosu's review of Hold in the Twi language.

https://akadimagazine.substack.com/p/a-twi-language-review-of-hold-a-book
  
 And why not join our next book club online on 18 April where we discuss Marie-Claire Amuah’s debut book: ‘One For Sorrow, Two For Joy’. Follow our Substack: 

https://akadimagazine.substack.com/p/join-our-next-book-club

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

Send us Fan Mail

Edward Ofosu, a self-taught, mixed media artist based in Accra, who, in September and October 2025 staged his first solo in Accra, entitled ‘Rhythm of The Soul’ at the La Foundation For The Arts in Accra, Ghana.

Edward has had two solo exhibitions in Ghana and four solo exhibition internationally.

Edward employs a variety of artistic styles and uses a range of tools, including everyday objects found in Ghana, to create his work. You find that his art includes traditional portraits, sculpture and iPad art.

His work includes the exploration and impact of migration on individuals, and identity and feeds into his own migration journey from Ghana to the UK and his forced return back to Ghana. 

He tells us more.

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

Send us Fan Mail

Happy International Mother Language Day!

Hear Maame Serwaa Piese who shares her regret at not teaching her children her Mother Tongue. She shares her reflections in Twi followed by an English translation.

You’ll also hear from her niece Mirekua Ansah, who provides her perspective on why she has actively invested in ensuring her four children are fluent in their Mother Tongue. She shares her reflections in Twi followed by an English translation.

Find out more on our Substack.

https://akadimagazine.substack.com/p/how-are-you-marking-international

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

Send us Fan Mail

Hello and welcome to AKADi Magazine’s Connecting Communities Podcast where we explore stories through a Ghanaian lens and dive into conversations with Ghanaians on topics including culture, the arts and history, which hopefully will leave you with some food for thought.

My name is Kofi Amo, editor of AKADi Magazine, and listen to my conversation with Richard Yeboah, a lifelong Hackney resident and historian. Richard is also the author of 'From Hackney with Love: An Intimate History of Gentrification'. Published in May 2025.

In our conversation, in September 2025, Richard reflects on his experiences of living and growing up in Hackney, and explores the social, political, and economic policies that have shaped the borough into what it is today. Richard also offers insight into his upbringing in a Ghanaian household and how he navigated life’s challenges as a young boy growing up in Hackney in the early 2000s.

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

Send us Fan Mail

Andrea-Vicky Amankwaa-Birago takes us through her research journey of uncovering the remarkable stories of two 19th century Asante princes.

Cousin brothers: Kwasi Boachi and Kwame Poku were both 10 years old when they migrated to the Netherlands in 1837 on the request of Asantehene Kwaku Dua I, Kwasi’s father and Kwame’s uncle.

Boachi and Poku’s stories are both fascinating and tragic and hopefully will inspire a film one day. What I found most compelling was seeing the parallels almost 200 years apart between their migration stories and those of contemporary first-generation Ghanaians that make that journey from home to foreign lands. 

This interview was recorded in early October 2025. Andrea-Vicky kicks off the conversation.

Background

You can read more about her work in her academic paper: 

Building (b)ridges beyond the Portrait - Mapping Memories of Kwasi Boachi - Exit Frame! by Andrea-Vicky Amankwaa-Birago

https://anthropologyofglobalinequalities.com/2025/04/25/building-bridges-beyond-the-portrait-mapping-memories-of-kwasi-boachi-exit-frame/

https://voices.skd.museum/voices-mag/building-bridges-beyond-the-portrait/

The paintings depicting Kwasi Boachi and Kwame Poku 

1: Carl Christian Vogel von Vogelstein: Bildnis des Aquasie Boachi, Prinz von Aschantiland / Portrait of Kwasi Boachi, Prince of Ashanti Region. 1849, Öl auf Pappe / Oil on cardboard, 33,1×29 cm

Leihgabe des Stadt- und Bergbaumuseums Freiberg / Loan from the Freiberg City and Mining Museum | Inv.-Nr. 53/237. © Foto: Albertinum | GNM, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Elke Estel/Hans-Peter Klut

2: Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet: Double portrait of Akwasi Boachi and Kwame Poku in 1837, Öl auf Holz, Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, Leiden

3: Nicolaas Pienemann, inauguration of King William II in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, 1840, Öl auf Leinwandm Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn, permanent load from Royal Collections, The Hague.

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag

Send us Fan Mail

Happy New Year to all our esteemed followers and welcome to our first episode of 2026. 

Kofi and I (Abena) thought we would use this opportunity to thank you for your support in 2025, reflect back on our podcasts from last year and look forward to some that you'll hear this year.

We also shout out to some of our listeners. You may hear you name mentioned.

Cheers!

The music in this episode is made exclusively for AKADi Magazine by Kyekyeku and the Super Opong Stars and is called 'Life No Dey Easy'.

AKADi Magazine is a digital publication connecting Ghanaians in Ghana and the Diaspora, visit us at www.akadimagazine.com , www.akadimagazine.co.uk and www.msbwrites.co.uk for all your community news.

Join our socials here: https://linktr.ee/AKADiMag