I was vetted & selected into the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Accra Hub (mouthful, I know) in the middle of last year. The group comprises of 13 other phenomenal young Ghanaian leaders working together on projects to make a positive difference.  One of the projects we've embarked on since January 2014 is the monthly Accra Discourse.

The Accra Discourse is a monthly conversation and networking event where passionate voices in Ghana connect with key drivers within sectors of leadership, business and development to have conversations that contribute to shaping the future of Ghana. Past guests include Young Global Leaders as well as enterpreneurial mavens in the country. I have learnt quite a bit and I look forward to the first Monday of every month discussions at 6:30pm at La Villa Boutique, Osu Accra.

 

The Accra Discourse January:
This is the launch of a series of monthly conversations about change/entrepreneurshipleadership and development in Ghana. January speaker: Ruben Atekpe, Executive Chairman, Merchants Company of West Africa – MECOWA Group, Ghana.

The Accra Discourse February:
This is a series of monthly conversations about change/entrepreneurship>leadership and development in Ghana. February speaker: Kofi Kwakwa is the Founder and CEO of Sagevest Holdings.

The Accra Discourse March:
March panel discussion on women's leadership featuring Estelle Akofio-Sowah the CEO of Google Ghana, Akua Nyame-Mensah, the CEO of Lamudi & Hanna Atiase, Sales Manager of Ghana Home Loans. #TheAccraDiscourse

Besides meeting progressive minded people, The Accra Discourse has been a great opportunity to chart a positive way forward& shape my little corner in the world into a better place.

I got introduced to BarCamps in DC through Ato Ulzen-Appiah years ago. And I remember the first one I attended, BarCamp Diaspora, was pretty informative.  Last year's BarCamp Accra was my second. BarCamp was the first "un-conference" I had been to where an event was hosted by community leaders for all attendees to have the opportunity to also share/lead and facilitate within small groups. The idea that each person in attendance would have an opportunity, on an equal platform, to educate all present was a step further from innovative, motivational meetings with distinguished panelists. BarCamp Kasoa was held at the ICGC Transformation Center in Accra, on Saturday April 27th with the theme "Making an Enterprising Environment for an Emerging Market." Details of what went down late last month are featured in this extensive post on The Mighty African's Blog here: BarCamp Kasoa 2013

It is astonishing how quickly kids around you grow up. If you are introspective, as I get sometimes, you'll look at your younger siblings, cousins...and look at the older family members and wonder if they are as tickled about your growth as you are of the younger ones.

My cousin, Queenie (named after her mother) celebrated her birthday and it was an opportunity to reconnect with family members I hadn't seen in about a decade. At her party I found out that her dad, my mother's older brother used to take pictures of my mom when they were younger. Decades later, here I am taking pictures of his daughter. Who said history doesn't repeat itself?
To youth, legacy and teenage birthdays!

Queenie

The group of friends who are "fresh"

Chop Time...no friend.

2nd generation of Benneh-Amoah

Queenies!

The birthday girl's mini photo shoot

Saturday was an eventful day. After joining forces with Rotaract Club of Adentan & Blogging Ghana, I got to photograph my first blood-drive at the University of Ghana - Legon.

Pentagon Hall, Legon.

Donor card.

Biggest sport, gave blood with a smile!

Wikimedian people!

Blogging Ghana member gave blood!

At Accra Mall

Nat Health Service Officials at Accra Mall

Edward Tagoe showing off "@ttaaggooee" tee

@gamelmag!

Video Team Ghana Decides with @wizsharifa

Doc came through

The Blogging Ghana Crew at Uni of Ghana - Legon

A group of Ghanaian photographers, led by Mawuli Sikanku, Nana Kwame & Teresa Menka, organized a volunteer, donate photograph session at Akuapem Tutu in Aburi, Ghana called Help-Portrait 2012. In partnership with the Trinity Home Academy Orphanage, Ghanaian photogs, yours truly included, took pictures for the hundreds of kids who were present. Ghanaian reggae rap sensation, Iwan was also present and gave the event some celebrity/media coverage.

The smiles the laughter and of course the sounds of numerous shutters from the Help-Portrait Ghana photogs who volunteered made last Christmas a special one for me.

The orphans were made-up and excited to be in front of the camera; everyone wants their beauty to be appreciated....

The amazing happened as the kids, most orphans, got comfortable in front of our cameras. I don't remember a more worthwhile cause to spend my December 24th at. Looking forward to the the Help-Portrait in whatever country I'm in on December 24th, 2013....

More pictures here: itake photos 1985 on Facebook