Kwaw Ansah (left) and Alimatu-Sadia Yussif of CEGASI at the screening
Four documentary films by well-known Ghanaian filmmaker, Kwaw Ansah, which affirm his long-standing stature as an advocate for African pride and values, were screened in the Exhibition Hall of the National Theatre on November 4.
The films which were shown under the umbrella of the Bisa Aberwa Museum at Sekondi in the Western Region were: ‘Crossroads of People, Crossroads of Trade’ (40 minutes); ‘Ebibirmba Aman Gyenabew: State of Our Continent’ (22 minutes); ‘Why I Do What I Do’ (8 minutes) and ‘Clarion Call of Mama’ (12 minutes).
Dealing with a wide range of issues such as identity, trade, technology, language and the African Diaspora, the films bring out his deeply-held convictions that Africa and black people in general, have made magnificent contributions to all aspects of development in the world.
The Bisa Aberwa Museum, which invited guests to the screening, was founded by Kwaw Ansah and officially inaugurated in July, 2019. It is an outfit that celebrates the achievements of black people in areas such as visual arts, crafts, literature, performance arts, film, music, sports, medicine, science and more.
“Black people have achieved far more than they are given credit for. The Bisa Aberwa Museum seeks to remind the world that black people, whether they are in Africa, the Caribbean, North and South America, the South Pacific, Asia or Europe, are from proud, brave ancestry and cannot be kept down forever,” Kwaw Ansah stated.
A Cape Coast-based NGO, Center for Gender and Social Inclusion (CEGASI), recognising the commendable role the museum is playing in raising consciousness about black accomplishment, has joined hands with it on a project called ‘Rediscover Africa: Celebrating Heritage Through the Bisa Aberwa Museum Experience.’
According to CEGASI’s Executive Director, Alimatu Sadia Yussif, the project among other things, seeks to encourage young people to ask questions, explore, as well as understand the African heritage from diverse perspectives.
The National Theatre event was also an occasion to let the public into other aspects of Kwaw Ansah’s creativity. ‘Maabo Loss’, a 1959 composition by him for the Comets Band of Kumasi was played back. Also, his 1958 wax cloth design called ‘Aban Kaba’ for the United Africa Company (UAC), now Unilever, was shown to guests.
A collection of 12 recent artifacts designed and directed by him and a painting of his in ink inspired by a poem he wrote and performed at the Accra Arts Centre in 1968 were also unveiled.
By George Clifford Owusu