This is a special recording of the Nea Onnim podcast, following the closure of the only LGBT centre in Accra, Ghana. 

Ghana’s government has said it will not allow a major gathering of LGBT+ activists to go ahead after an outcry from conservative Christian groups in the country.

This was Ghana's first LGBT community centre, which opened in February, however, three weeks after the opening, it had to be temporarily closed in order to protect its staff and visitors

The centre had caused an outcry from conservative Christian groups, politicians and anti-gay rights organisations, who called for the government to close the centre. 

A number of celebrities such as Idris Elba, Michaela Coel and supermodel Naomi Campbell joined forces with other influential names in fashion, film and media to express their solidarity with the LGBTQ "family" in an open letter tagged #GhanaSupportsEquality urging Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo to work with LGBT community leaders after security forces raided and shut down the centre.

In light of this, I had a conversation with Yassine Senghor, Founder of Confronting Change and El Issie Ebengho, host of It's a BAME's Life Podcast. 

We hope you enjoy the episode. 


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“For those of us who are serious about social justice, anti-racism, and freedom that far exceeds liberal notions and electoral politics, we already know that we have lots of work. The conditions of our work have changed, but our demands have not. Our strategies may have changed, but our vision for the future has not.” 

Lutze Segu first-generation Haitian-American who was born and raised in Miami, FL the ancestral and traditional lands of the Seminole, Miccosukee, and Tequesta nations. 

A strong believer in the power of empathy in her battle against society’s bias around classism, racism, poverty, mental health, childhood trauma and other structural and systemic issues that push people into the margins of our society and render them invisible.

Lutze was the architect of the #FemmeAgenda a feminist agenda and platform created to address the feminization of poverty in South Florida through a reproductive justice and intersectional lens. Lutze has also organised youth on the issue of Comprehensive Sexual Education. She is also the founding member of the #BlackGirlsMatter Collective in Miami.

*Please note* - We experienced a few technical difficulties in this episode.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Lutze Segu.

Learn more about Lutze’s work:

https://www.lutzesegu.com

https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticedoula/

https://twitter.com/feministgriote

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“I am interested in the inter-sectionalism of British myth-making. And how this impacts on the idea of the narrative of England's story. My work seeks to bridge the gap between different types of historiographies. In particular how English history became exclusive or mono-ethnic and why. My research critiques secondary sources but in particular, focuses on primary ones as offering new and interesting perspectives on the 'matter of Britain.”

Dr Onyeka Nubia is a pioneering and internationally recognised historian, writer and presenter who is reinventing our perceptions of the Renaissance, British history, Black Studies and inter-sectionalism. Dr Nubia is the leading historian on the status and origins of Africans in pre-colonial England from antiquity to 1603 and has developed entirely new strands of British history which includes Africans in Ancient and Medieval England. Dr Nubia has introduced academia and the general public to an entirely new perspective on otherness, colonialism, imperialism and the Black British contribution to World Wars I and II.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Dr Onyeka Nubia.

Further Reading
 
Onyeka, England's Other Countrymen: Black Tudor Society 

Hakim Adi (ed.), New Perspectives on Black British History 

Chancellor Williams, Destruction of Black Civilisation

Marcus Garvey, The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey

Neeley Fuller, The United Independent Compensatory ... For Victims of White Supremacy

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“I decided to help organise the protest in Bristol as, after feeling overwhelmed by the number of stories I was seeing… of black individuals being harassed and racially abused, it felt pertinent to channel my frustration and hurt into something productive,” Liza Bilal. 

I am pleased to have on my first Gen Z guest, Liza Bilal. 

Liza is a student of Anthropology and an Organiser of the BLM movement in Bristol. We discuss BLM, South Sudan, her experiences of living in Bristol, colourism and much more on this 5th episode of the Nea Onnim podcast. 

“I think that we not only achieved our goals of showing solidarity with the rest of the UK and the US by creating a conversation, but we also surpassed them. The tearing down of the Edward Colston slave trader statue, by some courageous individuals, has created ripple effects across the globe that we could never have imagined.” Liza Bilal 

Follow Liza Bilal on Instagram 

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I first met Matjie Pride on a panel discussion for She Says. I found Matjie Pride extremely powerful as she raised many points that resonated with the audience and other guests.

Matjie Pride is the Marketing strategy at TFG for the Foschini Division, a team that houses female brands championing female confidence and inspiring women to find their position in the economy. 

Having nurtured her career over 18-years, her focus has been on brands that require turnaround strategies and sustainable growth. She has worked within multiple geographies and industries including FMCG, Financial Services, Public Sector, as well as Advertising. Matjie Pride's work is anchored on 3 key pillars: that better people (personal branding) lead to better brands (brand strategy) and ultimately better organisations (corporate strategy). Through her MBA from Gordon Institute of Business, she is a published research author in the Journal of Brand Management. Matjie Pride's study focused on how organisational competitiveness through employee endorsement aims to change organisations from within. Matjie Pride also supports the development of female professionals and entrepreneurs through her involvement with the Zanele Mbeki Fellowship for Female leadership in Africa. 

Follow Matjie Pride on Instagram and LinkedIn

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"When asked to take part in this episode, I was thrilled for the opportunity. It's a great platform to discuss the Diaspora experience as it grapples with race in Corporate America. This podcast was a fantastic opportunity to shed light on my personal journey that has led me across the globe-spanning over 20years. I share my story in the hope that it will inspire others to be relentless in pursuit of their goals."

Daniel Tawiah, Digital Brand Innovator and my third guest on the Nea Onnim podcast.

Episode 3

Nsaa - A type of woven cloth. 

Symbol of A symbol of excellence, genuineness, authenticity.

The Nsaa symbols reflect a saying: “Nea Onnim Nsaa oto n’ago”, which he translates as “He who does not know authentic Nsaa will buy the fakes.”The quality of Nsaa has come to represent the quality of workmanship in general. Know the real thing! 

Sites referenced in the episode:
DS.PORA - Brand Marketing Consultancy.
LinkedIn - Daniel Tawiah

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"My conversation with Gillian woke up a lot of curiosity in me about my own African reality. I hope others listening will also reflect, and together, conversations such as these may act as catalysts to move the needle on realities that continue to impress negatively on Africans decade after decade on and off this magical continent."

Nyandia Kamawe, Visual Storyteller and my second guest on the Nea Onnim podcast.

Episode 2

Nkonsonkonson - The Chainlink, Symbol of Unity and collective strength. 

This symbol stresses the need to contribute to the community that in unity lies strength. The toughness of a chain lies in the smallest parts linked together. On its own, the individual components have no real value but together, they can pull down and build up great things.

Sites referenced in the episode:
Mokomaya - Upcycled items created in glass.

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This is the first Nea Onnim podcast and I was so happy to have the amazing Dina Yassin, stylist, consultant, designer, and teacher. In this episode, we delve into Eritrea, Ethiopia, and the Middle East.

Adinkra symbol: Ananse Ntontan (a-NAN-Si N-ton-TAN)
Meaning: Symbol of Wisdom, Creativity, and Complexities of life.

Wisdom relates to experience, knowledge, and good judgment in decision-making and taking action. Creativity includes using imagination and original ideas in artistic work or creating something new and different.

Ananse, the spider, is a well-known character in West African folklore. Stories describe the spider as the Messenger of the Supreme Being, weaving a communication web of “tumi” (energy) that permeates all Creation – spirit world and physical world.  Ananse also bears the title of “Chief Prankster”

Sites referenced in the podcast.

Efro & Co - sustainable fashion label.
Africa Fashion Week Middle East - knowledge-based entity dedicated to elevate and celebrate Africa’s talents.

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Tell us what you think of the podcast. 

Nea Onnim means ‘I don’t know’ and is the Adinkra symbol for knowledge and lifelong learning. 'Nea Onnim No Sua A, Ohu', which means "S/he who does not know can know from learning" and is the symbol for 'the quest of knowledge and learning'.

The Nea Onnim podcast aims to revert the perspective on Africa by celebrating these people, by giving them a platform to share their experiences and what they know about the various African cultures and how this has inspired them and empowered throughout their lives.