A letter to Ghanaian Artists

Dear Ghanaian Artist,

I am more than convinced that the liberation of the Ghanaian mind (both young and old) lies within the art he/she can create. This art must therefore be pure. It must not lie but be the truth to the environment from which we stem whether it be film, music, traditional or contemporary art, fashion - all these must be a true reflection of his/her Ghanaian heritage. Any other pursuit of his/her artistic ability would be a true betrayal to the craft; a potential waste.

I would like to specifically talk about film since I myself belong to that category and hence can only speak for the field I truly represent. To the filmmakers it would not only mean being anti-Hollywood but also being anti- any other movement against Hollywood. It means finding your own pure voice. It would mean there would be no category for it yet but the impact thereof must be and should be outstanding because the liberation of the Ghanaian mind depends on it desperately.

You as artists have a duty to your nation, to your descendants and most importantly to yourselves. Future generations would ask, they would look at the society you left them with and ask, where were the artists of those days? What did they do to liberate us? And you all will be looking ashamed whether from above or below if you don't do something!

It's time to awaken from your deep slumber! Enough with the numerous romcoms that do and say nothing but give a false perception of escapism and establish the patriarchy! The necessary revolution is in your hand! Artists are the voice of activists! Art finds and makes revolutionaries! A country with no cultural art is dead at its core. Awaken o you beautiful children of Yaa Asantewaa; children who do no sit quietly and stare! It is your civic duty to reflect and inspire!

'It's not that bad,' some of you say. Well, let's take a trip to the towns of Sefwi or to the north or just turn to your neighbor in Accra and you will feel the heat of the boiling pot underneath his/her words or do you want to feel the eruption before you take notice of the impending revolution?

Create Art! Create authentic films in your local languages! Create authentic films in foreign languages! Tell stories! Tell all the stories! Be as loud as you can till someone from the future hears. The revolution is in your hand, you Ghanaian artist, don't you dare waste it!

Yours truly,

A desperate Revolutionary