The Drumming Ghana Workshop is an exciting event that will take participants on a journey of learning more about Ghana’s history of drumming and traditional music.  The event takes place from December 20-26 2020 at the Gold Coast Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge.

The event is a collaborative effort of Tours & Arts Solutions, Apstar Tours, Gold Coast Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Diaspora African Community and the African Drums Orchestra.  The event is  endorsed by the ‘Beyond the Return’ Secretariat and is an important program on this year’s December in Ghana activities list because it represents two important pillars in the ‘Beyond the Return’ initiative. These are, Experience Ghana and Celebrate Ghana.  It’s an opportunity to experience an event while also celebrating the culture and traditions of Ghana. “Beyond the Return is a national agenda that will stand the test of time. So we wanted Drumming Ghana to also stand the test of time.” said, William Agbeko Segbedzi, CEO of Tours & Arts Solutions.  Since the program is a 10-year initiative organizers felt this was a good way of making drumming exercises a part of the national agenda in promoting Ghana.

When asked why this event was important to do, William said, “The workshop has been decided on for three reasons, namely the renaissance of African traditional drum usage in modern times. Secondly, inciting corporate teamwork among participants and finally re-instilling drumming as a tool for message sending in international communication.”   Richard Kofi Koomson of Africa Telema Dance Ensemble, will be teaching the drumming to all the participants.

It’s going to be an exciting few days as those participating get the chance to learn from an experienced drummer.  They will be learning how to play a harmonious symphony of African drums in its raw form and also gain knowledge on four different Ghanaian drum rhymes riding on Jemgbe.   Those who want to attend the event as spectators are free, anyone who wants to participate in the drumming lessons must register for a fee of 150 cedis.  For more information about the event, please contact +233 243 322 558 or +233 579 133 770 or email ghanaarts2015@gmail.com

By: Ivy Prosper

Giving back to the community is one of the most important parts of building and strengthening the connection between Ghana and our diaspora communities. This is why Beyond the Return’s pillar, ‘Give Back Ghana’ is essential in supporting people in various ways across the country.  Last year, during the ‘Year of Return’ it was one of the key items the diaspora was interested in.  Finding ways to give to Ghana through acts of service, donations or creating programs.  

Maurice Cheetham is the Founder and Executive Director of Art Cares Foundation, a non-profit working towards supporting and uplifting the self esteem of youth in Ghana.  Baby Like Me, is the initiative he launched for the purpose of disctirbuting Black dolls to little girls in Ghana.  Over the last few months they have given away hundreds of dolls in various communities throughout Greater Accra.

On December 5, 2020, they held another event in Mamprobi at St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church.  The dolls were given away as a Greene Family Initiative sponsored by Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Delta Delta & Alpha Lambda Chapters of DST, Lane College Alumni Deltas, Beta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Paradise Dental and Back to Health Chiropractic.

Cheetham often recounts the story of seeing a young girl in his area who was carrying a doll that was not a reflection of herself.  Cheetham says that although it was a nice doll, he felt it was important for little girls in Ghana to see themselves in the dolls they are playing with.  After putting the story out on Facebook he was overwhelmed with the amount of support he received from the community both in Ghana and especially in the diaspora.  Since then, he’s been giving out dolls to girls with the help of others, through donations, who equally believe in the cause.  

Annabelle McKenzie, Manager of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, participated in the event and even gave some words of encouragement to the girls before the dolls were handed out. “I want you little ladies to always know that you are beautiful, no matter what your skin colour is, no matter what your hair looks like, every version of you is beautiful.” she told the girls.  Some of the children came with their parents, who were excited that these gifts were being distributed to their children. 

Art Cares Foundation plans to continue distributing dolls to girls and holding self esteem workshops. “We need to do everything we can to uplift our young ladies to empower them for the rest of their lives,” said Cheetham. He says the biggest response has come from the diaspora who are sending dolls and money.  He said it’s been such a great response that he has even turned away some donations because it’s so overwhelming.  He’s happy that so many people are interested in helping the cause and he looks forward to continuing to give back to Ghana by empowering young people. 

By: Ivy Prosper

OFFICIAL RELEASE—-ACCRA, GHANA

Brenda Joyce, Founder of African Heritage Precious Metals, held a special presentation on the Sankofa Medallion, a gold coin designed to commemorate the ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ campaign. “The world of gold medallions and coins has existed for many centuries, but only a fraction of that belongs to African history,” she said. “Gold treasures commemorate historical events or heroes of a time.” The coin is designed to create a sense of pride, promote legacy, an eternal reminder of the the ‘Year of Return’.

The medallion is available as part of a collection of jewellery created in different styles to suit each customer’s lifestyle needs. There is the signature medallion coin, pendant, dangle earrings, cufflinks, a ring, bracelet and pin. All the styles are made using pure 14k or 18k gold and available in different sizes. Each comes with a certificate of authenticity verifying it is pure gold.

The ‘Year of Return’ was one of the most successful campaigns in Ghana’s history that welcomed members of the diaspora community to Ghana. The year was filled with such a renewed energy about Africa and the continent overall. It was a time when everyone was looking for keepsakes to remind them of what a monumental year it was. This is exactly why African Heritage Metals Ltd., launched the Sankofa Medallion. To provide something that would be an eternal reminder of the significance and legacy of the ‘Year of Return’.

President Nana Akufo Addo, was presented with his very own Sankofa Medallion during a Breakfast event in December 2019 when he announced plans for ‘Beyond the Return’ to be the follow up to Ghana’s ‘Year of Return’ campaign. Brenda Joyce personally presented the medallion to the president at the Kempinski Hotel to signify the official launch of the gold medallion.

Brenda Joyce has over 25 years of experience in the precious minerals and jewelry industry. She’s passionate about celebrating African history, heritage, culture and celebrating the heroes of the past. Ghana is one of the two top producers of gold in Africa. Despite being one of Ghana’s biggest mineral exports, gold also accounts for huge losses for Ghana because it’s potential is not fully realized. Most gold is exported in its raw state and unrefined resulting in a lower value. Joyce recognized the power of the dollar in the diaspora community and feels it was best to encourage our communities to invest their money in items that have a significant value both economically and historically. The Sankofa Medallion does just that.

African Heritage Metals strongly believes that buying one of their mediallions is not only a keepsake and memory of the ‘Year of Return’, but it’s also an investment in something that adds value to their lives. It’s an opportunity to acquire something made of pure gold that has beauty, celebrates history and grows in value as the price of gold increases.

For more information on purchasing a Sankofa Medallion, visit the website at https://africanheritage-pm.com/ and email the team at support@africanheritage-pm.com.