The coastal town of Ada, in Ghana.
Nana Oforiatta Ayim He has written books like The God Child, She has filmed documentaries – Ghana Freedom is the last she has shot – and her award-winning work has been shown around the world. Foundress of ANO Institute of Arts and Knowledge, in Ghana, among her most innovative projects are The Mobile Museum or the Pan-African Culture Encyclopledia. For many cultural institutions she is one of the most influential African women in the world.
This interview is part of " The World Made Local", a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions, which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to find out why her own territory should be your next destination.
Tell us more about yourself. Where are you from, where did you grow up...?
I am from Ghana and I grew up between Ghana, Germany and England, and now i live in Accra. Ghana is a small country on the west coast of Africa with a very varied landscape: the beaches, the jungle where I am from, and the savannah in the north of the country. We have a very deep history and culture and rich food. I think at some point in my childhood I began to understand that there was such a big gap between what I saw and knew about my country and how it was portrayed in the media Western and mainstream... that I wanted to help bridge that gap by telling my story and sharing another of the many and varied Ghanaian stories to the world.
What is the creative scene like and what names should we follow?
The creative scene has recovered. There is a lot of creativity and innovation in all areas: fashion, cinema, cooking and music. For example, to cite a few names, the sculptor Kwame Akoto-Bamfo it is deeply thoughtful. The music of Amaarae or the work of the filmmaker Kuukua Eshun they are wonderful. In terms of literature, together with my classmates Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah Y Ayesha Harruna Attah we are part of one new wave of Ghanaian women writers that we read together and support each other.
What are those cultural coordinates that we should take note of?
The artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo has created a kind of outdoor museum, not far from Accra, which I think is vital to see, and is part of the movement of artists who are creating spaces outside Accra, such as Ibrahim Mahama, in Tamale Y Kudjoe Affutu in the Central Region. There are many new and exciting art spaces like ADA Y Noldor Residency along with the classic galleries, already established, such as Berj, The Loom, Nubuke and Artist's Alliance. I am working to promote the development of museums so that they become meeting centers for artists and for disseminating everything that is happening.
If a friend came to Accra, where would you take them?
he would take him to Fulani Kitchen, from chef Binta, to taste the local ingredients, and to the restaurant The Mix , serving conceptual Ghanaian cuisine. Also to Jamestown Coffee Roasters for breakfast and to the restaurant Pat's to taste the best local cuisine. If it's sushi, Bonday, or if he prefers Ghanaian fusion cuisine, Abyssinia, and for vegetarians, Maorgany. The Lotte Y Elle Loko They are very good at getting nice clothes. Here there are many places with designer clothes from all over Africa and exclusive boutiques such as Christie Brown, Larry Jay, and Nadu. And to have a drink at the end of the day Kozo's, a beautiful restaurant that also has music.
Where do you go to disconnect and get out of the city?
On weekends I escape to the mountains, to Aburi Hills. I am setting up a school there, a farm and a center for the cultural institution that I direct, YEAR. There is a lovely hotel there, the hillburi where I usually have lunch, or in the vegan inity, which is in the middle of Aburi Botanical Garden. There is also the new Safari Valley Eco Resort, where you can do day trips or stay overnight. And I also usually go to Lake Volta in Akosombo. There I stay in a small shelter, the River Cottage Ghana, although there are more designer hotels like the Royal Senchi or the Volta Hotel . The most famous restaurant in the area is called Nududu . And, not far from Accra, is the Shai Hills Nature Reserve , where you can either sleep in luxury tents or camp more simply. A little further north in Ghana is the Moles National Park, where you can stay in the luxurious Zaina Lodge, or in the economic Mole Hotel, both inside the park, and see the elephants from your own room. In the Western Region, the Ahanta Eco Lodge is perfect for learning to surf and, a little further, is Lou Moon Lodge which is a dream. I'm looking forward to trying the Ghana Meet Me There, which is in the Volta region.