Object of Desire: Asante Polychrome Sculpture of a Man Holding a Black Ram

This sculpture is beautiful..........I want it now!!! Origin: Southern Ghana Date: 20th Century AD (POA) Visit: www.artofancientafrica.com

Art: Atta Kwami

Amedzofe 2007

Kpong 2006

Harmonium 2001

"The starting point of my inspiration is my environment. Many of my images have been shaped by my experiences of Atonsu Agogo, a commercial/workshop area in Kumasi, close to my studio. My works are not transpositions of African or European images but become new and real entities brought about by material concerns. The Ewe saying "All things belong to the earth" with its animistic connotations has implications for my art practice." Atta Kwami

Artist and academic, Atta Kwami was born in Accra in 1956. He lives and works in Kumasi, where he is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Painting & Sculpture at the College of Art, KNUST [Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi]. He studied painting at the College of Art in Kumasi from 1976 to 1980, gaining a BA and has taught at the college since 1986. He has made many international teaching visits as Visiting Lecturer to universities in England, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria -and he gained an M.Phil in African Art in 1992 and was Fellow in Printmaking at Chelsea College of Art & Design, The London Institute in 1992/93.

Atta Kwami has exhibited extensively around the world [including: 2002/03 Nicolas Krupp Contemporary Art Gallery, Basel, Switzerland 2001 Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland 2001 Beardsmore Gallery, London 2000 L´Alliance Francaise de Kumasi, Ghana 1999 Lake Naivasha Studios, Naivasha, Kenya 1998/99 National Museum of Ghana, Accra 1996 School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 1995 Newtown Galleries, Johannesberg 1995 Beardsmore Gallery, London 1994/95 Point of View Gallery, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC, USA 1993 Castle Museum Nottingham, UK 1980 British Council, Accra, Ghana].
*Note -The above artworks are a small sample of Atta Kwami's work -and can be purchased from the, Howard Scott Gallery at:www.howardscottgallery.com

Black Star: R.I.P Carl Beatson Asiedu aka Charmz (1989-2009)

Words cannot express the shock and sadness felt by Ghana Rising; -that Carl Beatson Asiedu aka Charmz, -a handsome, young; humble, talented, promising musician -has been taken away from his family, his friends, his community [and a bright future] in such a brutal way. God Bless the Asiedu Family and give them peace. Rest in Perfect Peace Carl Beatson Asiedu (1989 -2009)Paulina Opoku-Gyimah

Title: Talented rapper dies after stabbing -Carl Beatson Asiedu, known as Charmz, was on the brink of a promising music career when he died after being knifed outside Club Life in Kennington, south London (Credit: Rachael Wheeler -Dated: 3 August 2009 For The london Paper)

AN ASPIRING rapper who was stabbed to death was on the brink of a brilliant music career, friends said today. University student Carl Beatson Asiedu was found dying of his injuries in the back of a car by police who had stopped it for jumping a red light. Known as Charmz, the 19-year-old was being driven by friends to hospital desperate to save his life after he was repeatedly knifed after playing a gig. Officers called paramedics in the early hours on Saturday morning but despite efforts to save him, the teenager died at the scene near Waterloo station. Asiedu, from Norbury, south London, was pronounced dead just after 5.30am. Officers believe he was stabbed outside Club Life nightclub in Goding Street, Kennington. Police believe Asiedu and a friend were ambushed by a gang outside the venue. Police believe Asiedu and a friend were ambushed by a gang outside the venue. His 19-year-old friend was also stabbed but survived. Asiedu is the 11th teenager to die violently in London this year - eight of whom have been knifed (see right).

Today friends described the teenager as “funny” and “charming” and said they will pay tribute to him by promoting his first record and raising awareness of knife crime. More than 3,000 have joined a memorial page to him on Facebook. His friend Christopher Coco told thelondonpaper that a group were working with a production company to make a professional music video with an anti-knife crime message as tribute. Coco said: “Charmz loved music. It’s what he would have wanted. His life was cut short and it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t push his first single on MTV Base. I want the video to be finished before his funeral so that we can raise money to support his family. “Charmz was very popular,” he added. “He had no problem with anyone and no one hated him. He was funny, and, hence his nickname, charming.”

Asiedu grew up in the capital and had just finished his first year at De Montfort University in Leicester. In his spare time, he performed as half of a music-duo known as Kid n Play at events and universities across London and the Midlands. On the night Asiedu was killed, the student was performing on stage as Kid n Play at Club Life, said Coco. Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder and have been bailed pending further enquiries. Please read the rest at: Please read the rest at: www.thelondonpaper.com To join the memorial page for Carl Beatson Asiedu on Facebook please visit: www.facebook.com

Music: Stereotype by Blitz the Ambassador is out TODAY!! [August 4th 2009]

I love this brother.....anyway, 'Stereotype' is hot -go out and buy it !!!.....(you can sneak a listen at: www.blitztheambassador.bandcamp.com) For more information about Blitz please visit: www.embassy.mvmt.com

Art: Photographer Jane Hahn

Computer monitor shells lay at a dump site in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. ©Jane Hahn

Children working amongst E-Waste at Agbogbloshie dump site.©Jane Hahn

I can't connect the Ghana I know and love to the images / photographs by Jane Hahn [above]. But I believe that her work is relevant -[if only to 'provoke' people like me, -to work harder -and help Ghana to stand-up on her own two feet]. Her photograph of a crack cocaine user in Accra is particularly disturbing, -I thought it belonged to another African country. Jane Hahn is an American photographer based in Accra [since 2007], and her clients [and publications] include: Telegraph Saturday Magazine, The New York Times, The Times of London, Marie Claire UK, International Herald Tribune, The Guardian UK, foto8, Associated Press, Save the Children UK, Action Aid International, UNFPA, DFID, -and Oxfam America. For more information or to buy her prints [of Ghana and other African countries] please visit: http://www.janehahn.com

P.s I truly believe that the dump site in Agbogbloshie -is a national disgrace -something that the whole of Ghana should be ashamed of. But I am a believer, -and I believe that God is going to raise Agbogbloshie, a dump site [a hell hole] in Accra, Ghana -from the ground up. He will deliver all the people [especially the children] who work there, and give them work, homes and a future -and turn that place/land into an oasis -that all of Ghanaians will be proud of [and it will happen in my lifetime] -Amen. Bye for now.............x

Ghanaian Princess: Ashanti Ameyaw

Ashanti Ameyaw, looking flawless in an African print and white dress -with a chunky purple belt and clutch combo -on a night out with a friend.[Photo by RaeQkwan]




I believe that life is a beautiful and joyous journey and definitely -for the living, -so when I head about a sister -who was, -fun, ambitious and inspirational; -Ghana Rising just had to interview her. Ashanti Ameyaw is an incredibly beautiful young lady -who is the, 'life and soul of the party' and a model on the assent. We managed to catch up with Ashanti Ameyaw -on her return from modelling at, 'Ghana Fashion Week' -and the interview is as follows....................Enjoy x

GR: Hello Ashanti, how are you?
AA: Not too bad thanks.

GR: What are you up to?
AA: Well at the moment I'm doing a few shows in Ghana. I should be going back there [again] in two months time; and I'm at university, -studying Health Studies and Management.

GR: Ashanti, you have just returned from Ghana, -where you was modelling in Ghana Fashion Week. How was it?
AA: I loved it; -the people, the clothes. It was great. I'm ready to go back and do more shows because I loved it so much.

GR: Which designers did you walk for?
AA: [I walked for] so many designers that I can’t remember them all. There was KIKI, Kofi Ansah, Alan David and many more.

(Ashanti Ameyaw walking for Ivana Elle Couture at Ghana Fasion Weekend)

GR: Did you go to any hot parties in Ghana?
AA: Not really; because I was so busy working, -but the after party for the show was great.

Ashanti Ameyaw looking fierce
GR: Who is hot in Ghana right now?
AA: I'm loving Sarkodie at the moment, he is a really good rapper.

GR: Veeda or Mzbel?
AA: I don’t really know who Veeda is so I will say Mzbel.

GR: Ashanti, can you tell us about your background and how you got started in modelling?
AA: Well I started modelling when I was 19. One day I went to work and I saw a flyer about a fashion show; and they were looking for models, so I called them [then met up with them] and they loved my look, -so I got a place in the show. After that show, other designers got in contacted with me [to work with them], -and it all started from there, -getting more jobs after job.

Ashanti looking fabulous in a body-con dress
GR: Tell us about your most memorable modelling experience so far?
AA: Me going to Ghana, -for Ghana fashion week.

GR: Ashanti, you model and dance, what are your plans –for the future?
AA: To became the face of Africa, and hopefully have my own modelling agency in Ghana.

GR: I have seen lots of beautiful pictures of you wearing/ modelling Nkya designs, -name your favourite designers;
AA: Nkya, will have to be my first choice, -then KIKI based in Ghana, kofi Ansah and many more.

Ashanti in a fabulous design by Nkya
GR: You always look fabulous and 'on trend' {and it would seem from your photographs on facebook -that you love fashion} -how would you describe your look?
AA: Individual, unique, funky, bold and crazy.

GR: Who is your style Icon?
AA: Right now [its] Lady GAGA

GR: Ashanti, you are flawless. Tell us your beauty secrets?
AA: I don’t really have any beauty secrets but I use Iman foundation and make-up, then once in a while -I steam my face to freshen my skin. I also use Nivea to cream my body -it leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. I don’t use Nivea to cream my face, instead -I use a Ghanaian product called 'Cho Cho' cream, -which helps to tone up your skin. I do my own hair at home; I only go to the barbers to shave the sides, -and I do my nail once in a while [if not, I just paint it myself].

The beautiful Ashanti Ameyaw -looking flawless
GR: On to more serious stuff, -what are your hopes and dreams for Ghana?
AA: What do I want for Ghana? I want the best for my country. I want a better 'Education System', better 'Health Care Insurance' [where people can go and seek treatments without worrying about cash, -because the cash in hand before treatment, ends up costing peoples lives]. I want our country to be the best place -for all of us. All the bribing -needs to stop. The government needs to see to this issue [urgently] because a country that allows you to use bribery to get to anywhere [you want] -is not a good country; -it also means that there is no law in that country [and for a better Ghana this needs to stop] -and we need more young people to get involve with the country -to bring new ideals [for a better Ghana]. I also want my own modelling agency in Ghana and hopefully other big things will come my way.

GR: Thanks Ashanti, Stay fabulous and God bless all your dreams.
AA: Thank you Ghana Rising for having me here today.

Some of Ashanti Ameyaw's favourite things..

There is a picture of Ashanti holding up a t-shirt that says, 'When I'm in the place its party time' and she's so right. Because as you can see from the photographs above, -this social butterfly knows her stuff. Whether she's wearing a cute dress by N'yka Designs, a leggins and vest combo -or an uber glamorous body con dress, -Ashanti is aways 'hot to trot'. A big fan of N'yka Designs, the first three pictures [featuring Ashanti] -are all N'yka Designs by Sheila Boateng. I especially love this cute yellow and green dress.

Kiki Clothing is a new discovery for me. I'm loving this gorgeous multi print dress with a bell sleeve details, -and this oh so cute blue dress. Kiki Clothing is designed by Titi Ademola, -another one of Ashanti's favourite labels- http://www.kikiclothing.com.

Ashanti uses Iman foundation and make-up [a brand that gives flawless coverage] -and their 'IMAN Cream to Powder Foundation' glides onto your skin -like sheer silk to give the coverage of cream combined with a velvety powder finish -and provides a medium to maximum coverage (£23.50). I am also loving this 'IMAN Dressed for Success Makeup Kit' (£19.950).Why not order these Iman products online from, Afrotherapy [it was founded by -hair 'Queen' Harriet Kessie] at: www.afrotherapy.com Like other Ghanaian Glitterati [and myself], Ashanti is also a fan of Nivea -and their NIVEA VISAGE Rich Moisturising Day Cream is a rich, fast absorbing formula that gives dry skin all the moisturising and smoothing elements it needs to maintain its natural balance (http://www.nivea.co.uk).

I love discovering new beauty products and 'Chocho' cream -a product loved by Ashanti and made in Ghana is a 'new-one-on-me'. Touted on 'Chocho Industries' website as; "Quick, dependable and sustainable skin restorer" - this effective herbal skin care product appears to have a cult like following in Ghana. And even though Chocho [a 'national treasure'] is available -nationwide in Ghana, -it can only be bought from big Ghanaian retailers in the UK [like 'AKWAABA SUPERMARKET and TRAVEL & TOURS' shop at: 103 Dalston Lane, Dalston, London E8 1NH -020 7249 2777 / 07903 620 541]. For more information about 'Chocho Herbal Skin Care' products visit: -www.chochoindustries.com