The highly anticipated National Grand Slam 2024 continues with its 2nd Prelims, scheduled for Saturday, July 20th, 2024, at 5:00 PM. The event, organized by Ehalakasa and supported by the Goethe-Institut, will take place at the Tamale Regional Library. This exciting competition is free to attend, making it accessible for all poetry and spoken word enthusiasts.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, July 20th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Tamale Regional Library
Entry: Free
About Ehalakasa:
SLAMMERS
Ehalakasa, with its motto "It lives in us!", is a dynamic platform promoting poetry and spoken word performances in Ghana. Their events are known for their vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging creativity and expression among participants and audiences alike.
Why You Should Attend:
Witness Exceptional Talent: The National Grand Slam 2024 showcases some of the best poets and spoken word artists in the country. The 2nd Prelims promise powerful performances, original content, and captivating storytelling.
Cultural Enrichment: Engage with diverse narratives and perspectives that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Ghana. This event is an excellent opportunity to experience the depth and diversity of Ghanaian literature and performance art.
Networking Opportunities: Meet like-minded individuals, artists, and literary enthusiasts. The event provides a platform for networking, collaboration, and community building.
Support Local Art: By attending, you contribute to the growth and sustainability of the local art scene. Your presence helps in promoting and appreciating the talent within the community.
How to Prepare:
Arrive Early: Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving early ensures you get a good spot to fully enjoy the performances.
Engage on Social Media: Follow Ehalakasa on social media for updates, performer spotlights, and behind-the-scenes content. Use the event hashtag #EhalakasaGrandSlam2024 to join the conversation and share your experience.
Bring Friends and Family: The event is free and open to all. Bring your friends and family along to enjoy a night of exceptional poetry and spoken word.
Contact Information:
For more information and support, you can reach out at 020 5043 890.
Terms and Conditions Apply
The National Grand Slam 2024 is set to be an unforgettable event, celebrating the power of words and the talent of Ghanaian poets. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of a significant cultural event at the Tamale Regional Library. Mark your calendars for July 20th, and get ready to be inspired!
The National Grand Slam 2024 kicked off with a sensational 1st Prelims on Saturday, June 29th, at the Center for National Culture (CNC) in Koforidua. The event, organized by Ehalakasa in partnership with the Goethe-Institut, showcased a fierce competition among some of Ghana’s most talented poets and spoken word artists. The evening culminated in a thrilling victory for Poetic Dennis, who clinched first place.
Event Highlights:
Date: Saturday, June 29th, 2024
Location: Center for National Culture (CNC), Koforidua
Winners:
First Place: Poetic Dennis
Second Place: Coniah the Poet
Third Place: Kobby Wright
Performers of the Night:
The lineup of poets who graced the stage included:
Kobby Wright
Chief Showman
DREEMZ
Coniah the Poet
MeConcept
Poetic Dennis
Skies Jnr
These talented individuals delivered electrifying performances, captivating the audience with their powerful words and dynamic presence.
Workshop Insights:
Prior to the competition, participants had the unique opportunity to attend a slam poetry workshop. The workshop was led by 7-time slam champion Jewell King-Speaks, with assistance from Yibor Kojo Yibor, also known as Sir Black, co-founder of the Ehalakasa Collective. During the workshop, slammers were taken through various exercises on how to write and develop ideas from the page to the stage. They received valuable tips on performance techniques, which undoubtedly enhanced their presentations during the competition.
Poetic Dennis Shines Bright:
Poetic Dennis emerged as the standout performer of the night, securing first place with his compelling and heartfelt performance. Coniah the Poet followed closely, earning second place, while Kobby Wright took the third spot with his impressive showing.
Audience Engagement and Cultural Celebration:
The event was not only a competition but also a celebration of Ghanaian culture and creativity. The Center for National Culture buzzed with energy as poetry enthusiasts and supporters of the arts gathered to witness the remarkable talent on display. The performances were a testament to the depth and diversity of Ghana’s literary scene.
Ehalakasa: Nurturing Talent and Creativity:
Ehalakasa, with its mantra of "It lives in us!", continues to provide a vital platform for poets and spoken word artists to showcase their skills and connect with audiences. The organization’s collaboration with the Goethe-Institut further underscores its commitment to promoting the arts in Ghana.
Community and Networking:
The event also served as an excellent networking opportunity for artists and literature enthusiasts, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Attendees were able to engage with the performers, share their thoughts, and build connections.
Looking Forward:
As the National Grand Slam 2024 progresses, anticipation builds for the next rounds. The 2nd Prelims is scheduled for July 20th, 2024, at the Tamale Regional Library. Poetry lovers and supporters of the arts are eagerly looking forward to more stunning performances and inspiring moments.
The National Grand Slam 2024 is set to kick off with its 1st Prelims on Saturday, June 29th, 2024, at 5:00 PM. This premier event, brought to you by Ehalakasa in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, will be held at the Center for National Culture (CNC) in Koforidua. With free entry, it promises to be an evening of vibrant poetry and spoken word performances.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 29th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Center for National Culture (CNC), Koforidua
Entry: Free
SLAMMERS
About Ehalakasa:
Ehalakasa, known for its slogan "It lives in us!", is a prominent platform dedicated to nurturing and showcasing poetry and spoken word talent in Ghana. The organization is celebrated for creating spaces where artists can freely express their creativity and connect with audiences on a profound level.
Reasons to Attend:
Experience Top Talent: The 1st Prelims of the National Grand Slam 2024 will feature outstanding poets and spoken word artists, presenting powerful performances that highlight their unique voices and perspectives.
Cultural Immersion: Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Ghanaian culture through the art of spoken word and poetry.
Community Engagement: This event offers a chance to meet fellow literature enthusiasts, artists, and supporters of the arts, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Support the Arts: By attending the event, you contribute to the promotion and sustainability of the local arts scene, helping to nurture and celebrate homegrown talent.
Tips for Attendees:
Arrive Early: To secure a good seat and ensure you don't miss any part of the event, plan to arrive early as seating is first-come, first-served.
Stay Connected: Follow Ehalakasa on social media for event updates, performer highlights, and engaging content. Use the event hashtag #EhalakasaGrandSlam2024 to share your experience and connect with other attendees.
Invite Others: Share the event with friends and family to enjoy a night of inspiring performances together. The more, the merrier!
Contact Information:
For additional information and support, please contact 020 5043 890.
By Crystal Kwadwa Tettey and Yibor Kojo Yibor (Sir Black)
Accra came alive in the early 2000s with the dawn of the EhaLaKasa movement. Artists and art lovers were invited to relish poetry in oratorial and performance mode à la ghanéenne. Eha means ‘song’ in Ewe. La means ‘sing’ in Ga. Kasa means ‘talk’ in Twi. EhaLaKasa thus represents the intersection of spoken word (poetry) and music. EhaLaKasa is straight talk and street philosophy. We do not say poetry; we say EhaLaKasa.
Nowadays EhaLaKasa has slams, concerts, collaborations, and workshops running throughout Ghana. It is also represented at events worldwide all year long. The movement’s anthologies and publications feature emerging and established Ghanaian poets; EhaLaKasa events and publications are regularly integrated into the curricula and programming of schools in Ghana and beyond.
Spoken word poetry, also referred to as performance poetry, has always been an advocacy mouthpiece. Griots and linguists in many West African communities are repositories of ancient wisdom and, thus, regarded as oracles for educational, spiritual, and political advancement. The Civil Rights Movement in the United States was heavily influenced by spoken word poetry. Poets-turned-politicians such as Léopold Senghor has been pivotal in steering black consciousness worldwide.
Today is the 21st day of the 3rd month of the 2023rd year Anno Domini (AD). The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrates poets and poetry every year on this day. This year AD is also significant on the Accra calendar as the city is named 2023 World Book Capital (WBC) by UNESCO.
The Greenwich Meridian—a geographical reference line that passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, and a key marker of the time measurement standard to which most of the planet pledges allegiance—passes through Tema, a city located 25 kilometers east of Accra. The equator is directly beneath this line. Tema, Ghana’s largest seaport, may be considered the center of the world. This center could be the world’s capital.
The youth of the world’s center are bleeding. There is a scarcity of capital:
Accra is depleting our
financial capital
and robbing us
of
emotional and mental capital
Is the microphone the ●Show-Case● in this whirlwind that propels us into the minds of stakeholders, state institutions, and gatekeepers? Will truth to power be the bubble of redemption required to surmount a time of national and global upheaval? Could there be capital in Accra to lead the world out of despair while being a capital that shows no Show-Case?
In the poet resides the potential for capital. The poet is capital. Poetry is of capital importance
in the capital.
Over the years, poets and spoken word artistes across the length and breadth of the country battled it all out for the biggest title on the poetry landscape; “The National Slam Champion”. The search for the 2022 slam champion began in June. There were three(3) preliminary stages and at each stage the top 3 qualified to the final stage. Thirty-six (36) spoken-word artistes/ poets took part in this year’s championship. The roadmap to the finals had some special features to it. The Third preliminary was a double contest because the winner did not only qualify to the grand slam, but also qualified to represent Ghana at the next FESPACO Gold Slam which will take place in February, 2023 at Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso. Jewel King-Speaks emerged winner, making him the country’s representative at the FESPACO Gold Slam. At the end of all three preliminary battles, Faiba, Chessed, Afi, Jewel king-speaks,
Nana Kuffour, Twita-lit , Baby Poet, Briana and Wiseborn qualified to the finals which took place on 30th December 2022 at the Silverbird Cinemas in Accra.
This year’s National Slam Championship finale was intriguing and highly competitive, as each slammer brought their A-game. Big Names in the Ghanaian creative Arts industry such as Martin Egblewogbe (the first person to win a Slam in Ghana), Apiorkor Ashong-Abbey, Nana Asaase, Hondred Percent, Vitus Zulee, amongst others came in to witness history as it was being brewed.
It was a tough word war with all standard slam rules in place; 3 minutes per performance, original written pieces and no use of props.
Slammers went neck to neck with their performances, each showing their poetic prowess but at the end of the day 22 year old Twita-Lit also know as Theresa Kuffour, emerged winner of Ehalakasa National Slam Championship, 2022. She took home a trophy and a ticket to represent Ghana at the next Africa Cup of Poetry Slam in Bamako, Mali and later to the World Poetry Slam Championship in Brazil.
Jewel-King Speaks came in second, trailing behind Twita-lit with just a point and Afi and Nana Kuffuor came in third place.
It was an amazing sight to behold and it’s much evident that there is a bright future for spoken word poetry slam in Ghana.
Don’t squeeze too tight
ooohhh this boy
Agyeeeiiiiii! Waka mi
Akua always sleeps with it in her mouth
From the North to the East to the west to the South
Little baby, where else could you find better food
Than from the nectar those two round balls brought
You can’t deny that at one point in your life you needed it
You needed it so bad, you cried and wailed for it
Begged and screamed for it
Wouldn’t stop crying until your lips latched onto it
The joy those two round balls brought
You still can’t forget about it
So even after 20 years, you still want more of it
To play with, suck, to caress, to love
Once they’re in your hands, you just can’t get enough of it
The joy those two round balls bring
Now you have them
And though you may not want them in your mouth any more
You’re dying for someone else to taste them
Or probably you’ve already gotten a sucker
Someone who knows how to work’em for your back to ache in pleasure
Oh what joy those two round balls bring
Source of food
source of pleasure
Something to love
Something to treasure
Good news is it doesn’t come in ones but it comes in twos
Who can truly say they never loved boobs
Matters of the breast are not gender biased
As we’re trying to fight breast cancer,let’s not be quiet
Spread awareness with utmost importance, don’t be defiant
Male and female
Young and old
Rich and poor
Let’s stand abreast as we fight against breast cancer
Let’s not forget that All Breasts Matters
