AKWAABA!

Kuonyesha in the City of Welcome...

What happens when a journey of convening turns into a celebration of art, identity, and connection?

Earlier this year, CivFund’s Kuonyesha Art Fund travelled to Ghana, not only to attend a convening but also to finally meet seven artists it had supported over two years, discovering stories of resilience, innovation, and cultural pride. From Karen Happuch’s groundbreaking animated film and Jesse Sunkwa Mills’ dream of African heroes on global screens, to Awura Abena’s “Wear Ghana” fashion movement and David Asare’s award-winning documentaries, each encounter revealed how art shapes community, challenges norms, and affirms identity.

A shared lunch at Alisa Hotel brought these diverse creatives together for the first time, sparking collaboration, laughter, and a sense of belonging that mirrored Ghana’s warm “Akwaaba.” The visit affirmed that Kuonyesha’s mission goes beyond grants, it is about building movements, nurturing voices, and ensuring that African stories shine brightly across the continent and beyond.

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