Poetry Time at Goethe Abansoro with Louisa Adjoa Parker and Apiorkor

Poetry Time at Goethe Abansoro with Louisa Adjoa Parker and Apiorkor

Goethe-Institut Ghana and Writers Project of Ghana are proud to present poets Apiorkor and Louisa Adjoa Parker for the May edition of Poetry Time at Goethe Abansoro, a themed poetry reading and conversation session. This event is slated for Wednesday 3rd May 2023 at 7 PM GMT at the Goethe-Institut in Cantonments, Accra.

Louisa Adjoa Parker Louisa Adjoa Parker is a writer and poet of English-Ghanaian heritage who lives in southwest England. Her first poetry collections were published by Cinnamon Press, and her third, How to wear a skin, was published by Indigo Dreams. Her debut short story collection, Stay with me, was published in 2020 by Colenso Books. Her poetry pamphlet, She can still sing, was published by Flipped Eye in June 2021, and she has a coastal memoir forthcoming with Little Toller Books.

Louisa’s poetry and prose has been widely published. She has been highly commended by the Forward Prize; twice shortlisted by the Bridport Prize; and her grief poem, "Kindness", was commended by the National Poetry Competition 2019. She has performed her work in the southwest and beyond and has run many writing workshops.

Louisa has written extensively about ethnically diverse history and rural racism, and as well as writing, works as an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion consultant. She is a sought-after speaker and trainer on rural racism, black history, and mental health.

She will join the event virtually.

Apiorkor [Seyiram Ashong-Abbey] is a Ghanaian Poet, Writer/Author, Literary Scholar and Critic, Media Practitioner, TED Speaker, Activist and Versatile Creative of Ga-Daŋme and Ewe ancestry. She is the author of The Matriarch’s Verse (a collection of Poetry, which is available on booknook.store and Amazon, both in Paperback and Kindle editions).

Her work is noted for its rare narrative, prosaic, journalistic nature, which is uncommon in Poetry. She has been commended for the sharp, vivid imagery of her pieces which have been featured in many journals and academic theses. Her work has also won many awards. Apiorkor reads her Poetry on stage and injects life into her poems with varied music forms, Contemporary Dance and alternative Art. She performs within West Africa’s most sophisticated spaces and has been featured on two TEDx platforms.

She has also been a speaker at Re:publica, the largest conference on Internet and Digital Society in Europe. She has been a conversationalist as well, at the Reykjavik Global Forum, having spoken about The Power of Poetry. Again, Apiorkor is listed on TED.com as a headline performer, for TEDWomen 2020 and is an active member of TED's Red Circle Community for TED Speakers. She will be in Vancouver for the 2023 TED Conference, as a TED Speaker Ambassador and to run a 90-minute workshop titled Everyone is Poetry.

She is a member of the National Executive Committee of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW), a member of the Poetry Association of Ghana Executive Board and a Director-At-Large of the Democrats Abroad Africa Committee's ExCom, as the Coordinator of Democrats Abroad - Ghana. She is also a member of a newly-formed standing committee of the Creative Arts Agency (Ghana) Initiative on developing Creative Arts Education in Ghana, under the auspices of Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture.

Her love for Diplomacy has led her to become a Fellow and the Moderator-in-Residence, of the Institute of International Affairs, Ghana. She is an Editorial Advisor of the Influenc(Her) Project (https://influencherproject.org/) working alongside phenomenal women to elevate the global voices of women. She is also a member of the Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) Advisory Board.

Apiorkor teaches, mentors and counsels Poets, Writers, Creatives, budding Media Practitioners and young people (especially young women).

As a Media Practitioner, Apiorkor is Multi-format/ Multi-scale Television Producer & Programmer. Additionally, she does Event design/ production/ management and is a compère & moderator. She is a copywriter, voice over artist and designs and produces media advertising content.

Apiorkor is the Head of Programmes Production at Accra-based Citi 97.3 FM and Citi TV, where she also hosts "Diplomatic License" and "What's Cooking?", while advocating for the causes of Literacy & Numeracy, appreciation of the Creative Arts & Art business, as well as Culture.

Apiorkor is currently working on a Spoken Word EP, a play, a Poetry chapbook and a novel - all of which are scheduled to be released between April 2023 and April 2024.

Social Media: @apiorkor | Website: https://apiorkor.com/ |

Details below:
Venue: Goethe-Institut, 30 Kakramadu Road, East Cantonments, Accra.
Date: Wednesday 3rd May, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM
Online: IG (@writersPG) / FB (Writers Project of Ghana) / Youtube (@WPGTV)