Ministry of Poetry hits the British Council, March 9

“A poet’s work is to name the unnameable…shape the world and stop it going to sleep” -Salman Rushdie. Poetry has been with us as a country for quite sometime now, with records as far back as subsets of our culture like folklores and proverbs possessing poetic elements to times when poetry was scripted by the likes of Kofi Awoonor, Attukwei Okai and co. The art had been relegated to theatre and literary art students only until the emergence of present day youth who regardless of their educational background involve themselves in this sphere. On the 9th of March, 2013, all roads will lead to British Council Accra for a first-time-ever grand capacity building session dubbed “MINISTRY OF POETRY”; being unleashed to groom artisans and participants interested/ as well as those with little interest in this scope of the creative industry about the possibilities untapped and the marketability almost slept upon. The seminar themed; “exposing poets to opportunities in Ghana’s emerging creative industry” looks to bring together stakeholders, enthusiasts and investors in the art. It’s also a platform for renowned artisans to speak to the up and coming contributors in the industry on topics like the state of poetry in Ghana at the moment, focus on the proper use of literary devices in pieces, professional image of artist and branding, stage performance, opportunities in the creative industry, publishing and copyright. Names you should look out for on the day are Okyeame Kwame; rapper and poet, Bernard Kelvin Clive; author of best seller “How To Publish In A Day”, Paa Kwesi Inkumsah: motivational speaker and a branding expert, Martin Egblewogbe: an author, radio presenter, lecturer and co-founder of Writers Project of Ghana, Kofi BEATMENACE, Sir Black Benedict; seasoned performer and co-founder of Ehalakasa, Nana Asaase; young poet and creative coach and others The seminar will be in 2 halves, interspersed with poetry performances by the cream of the crop including the likes of Chieff Moomen, Nana Asaase, Mutombodapoet, Selikem, Hashmullah, Laud da poet, Kwame Write and more the program also include a round table discussion with the various poetry groups in the country to find ways and avenues to fund poetry activities. All poets, poetry enthusiasts, investors, sponsors and all persons from the creative art industry are invited to come on board. This is another proud initiative by People of Equal Thought & Spirit (POETS) led by Rhymesonny and supported by British Council Ghana, Yfm, Okay Fm, Writers Project Of Ghana, One Mic Entertainment, RhymePixels, CHIC, MSNgh, www.ameyawdebrah.com, N’daba Restaurant, Poetry Foundation Ghana, Isolve Africa]]>