In poetry, there are performers. And then, there are thinkers who perform. Mawufemor is both.
Born Rosina Nyadey, she’s a level 300 student at the University of Ghana, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Study of Religion. But on stage, she steps beyond academia. She becomes a voice gentle yet grounded that reminds us of poetry’s original power: to express what the world often silences.
A passionate reader and emerging writer, Mawufemor believes that “poetry is what helps man express himself.” It’s a simple truth with ancient weight. Her work is not driven by performance tricks or trends it’s driven by meaning. Her words rise from the intersection of books and belief, education and emotion, language and liberation.
This August, she takes the stage at the Ehalakasa National Slam Prelims 2025 where her truth meets a microphone, and the crowd meets a mind shaped by both scholarship and spirit.
Poets often speak from the heart. But LéO speaks from soul memory weaving verse from love, loss, faith, and the raw tenderness of being human.
Born in Obuasi, now based in Sunyani, LéO is not your typical rising poet. At 30, he carries with him a body of work already resonating deeply online. His poetic pieces, especially across TikTok and YouTube, have earned him a devoted following for their introspective depth, spiritual undertones, and unfiltered honesty.
LéO’s themes aren’t trendy they’re timeless. He writes of spirituality, self-discovery, grief, romantic vulnerability, and the poetry of real life. He brings a soft strength, a quiet conviction that pulls audiences closer without needing to shout.
Currently, LéO is in the midst of producing a professional visual version of his poem “Im-Possible” a piece that explores breaking through limitations, personal and societal.
This August 9 at the British Council, he’ll step from screen to stage at the Ehalakasa National Poetry Slam Prelims 2025, not just to perform but to invite the audience inward. If his work online is any indication, his presence in person will be nothing short of unforgettable.
For many, the journey to poetry begins with applause. But for Pearl Asante, it begins with introspection.
A communications student at UNIMAC, Pearl hails proudly from the Volta Region. She identifies deeply as a Christian, a reader, and an admirer of literature’s quiet giants those whose words have shaped her own.
While this year marks her first time performing on a national platform, Pearl is no stranger to expressing herself through poetry. From classroom showcases to campus stages, her voice has already stirred classmates and professors alike.
She doesn’t claim awards. She doesn’t boast titles. What she has, however, is something rarer: people who genuinely connect with her work who stop her after performances and say, “I felt that.” And in her words, that is enough.
Pearl’s poetry is personal, thoughtful, and quietly powerful. She writes not to impress but to address to explore the thoughts that keep her up, to speak on matters often left untouched, to make sense of the world around her.
And now, at the 2025 Ehalakasa National Slam Prelims, she brings that soft strength to the stage where courage meets creativity.
He calls himself a “baby poet with adult teeth.” But don’t be fooled Baby Poet’s bite is as real as his rhythm.
A student of the University of Cape Coast and a rising name in Ghana’s poetry scene, Baby Poet doesn’t recite poems he summons them. His words don’t come from practice. They come from a place he calls “the deep, darkest stream.” A place that births truth the world often fears to name.
Blending youthful energy with ancient metaphor, this lyrical steward sees poetry as a form of conviction, a tool to speak loudly even when the world expects silence.
What sets him apart? The metaphors. The mystery. The magic. He doesn’t just perform he declares. And at the National Poetry Slam Prelims 2025, he will stand on that stage not just to earn applause, but to plant roots as the only fresh fruit from the Iroko tree.
This August 9th at the British Council, the mic awaits. Ghana’s next poetic prophet is no longer whispering. He’s here. Call him Baby Poet.
In the world of slam poetry, few voices walk the tightrope between raw vulnerability and unwavering power like Mys Perfect.
A Ghanaian poet, storyteller, and spoken word artist, her performances are not simply heard they’re felt. Her verses reach into the quiet places we often protect, pulling out truths about identity, healing, and the delicate balances of human connection. Her journey into poetry wasn’t loud it was intentional. A rebellion not of fists, but of feelings, penned quietly in notebooks before finding a mic.
Today, Mys Perfect stands as a dynamic creative: a writer, performer, budding music artist, and the force behind Perfect Literary Inc, her personal brand dedicated to literary development and African storytelling.
On stage, she is deliberate. In her words, you feel both ache and agency. She doesn’t just recite she restores. Whether blending poetry into melody or mentoring the next generation of youth writers, her mission remains clear: to stir hearts, awaken voices, and inspire change one verse at a time.
And on August 9th at the British Council, she returns to the slam stage not just to compete, but to complete something.
When words meet wisdom, and stillness carries fire, you get Be Yunus. A storyteller rooted in real experiences, Be Yunus is more than a performer he’s a presence. Fusing French, journalism, and creative poetry, his performances feel less like recitations and more like revelations. Every verse he delivers is carved from a lived moment, a subtle reflection, or a universal emotion many never knew they shared.
His calm demeanor contrasts the storm he stirs on stage. Influenced by country and reggae music, his style is rhythmic, reflective, and real — a poetic soundscape shaped by both serenity and strength.
On August 9th, 2025 at 6PM, Be Yunus joins the bold at the Ehalakasa National Poetry Slam Prelims, hosted at the British Council. He stands not just to compete, but to connect with you, with the room, with the times.
Come witness a poet who doesn’t raise his voice to be heard he speaks with clarity that cuts through noise.
In a time where truth often flickers behind screens and silence becomes routine, poetry still dares to speak and Ehalakasa dares to listen.
On August 9th, 2025, at exactly 6PM, the Ehalakasa National Poetry Slam Prelims will blaze through the walls of the British Council, turning stage into story, microphone into mission, and word into weapon.
This isn’t just a night of verse it’s a rite of passage. A nation’s most fearless poets will step forward, each bearing a story stitched in struggle, hope, humor, resistance, and raw humanity. This is where Ghana’s boldest voices rise. This is where one poet earns the right to carry our fire to the world.
Backed by the British Council, this event is not merely an artistic competition. It’s a cultural cornerstone part of EHALAKASA’s ongoing commitment to shaping Ghana’s performance poetry ecosystem and aligning it with global excellence.
Whether you’re a slam regular, a curious newcomer, or a cultural enthusiast seeking truth beyond headlines, this is the stage you don’t want to miss.
Because when poets speak, nations listen. IT LIVES IN US!
Ciudad Juárez, Mexico — June 2025. Ghana just shook the globe not with drums, not with jollof (this time), but with words. Slam poetry words. Rhythmic, revolutionary, and roaring with purpose. King Yaw, known offstage as Yaw Osafo Kantanka Kyeremateng, has emerged the World Poetry Slam Champion, lifting the crown high for Ghana, Africa, and every poet who has ever dared to spit truth with a heartbeat.
But before we scream “ɔmo yɛ wild!”, let’s rewind.
The World Poetry Slam Championship (WPSC) is the Olympics of spoken word. It’s where the best of the best meet, one mic, three minutes, original poems, no props, and all heart. Organized by the World Poetry Slam Organization (WPSO), this global championship brings together slam champions from every continent to battle it out with truth, style, and fire.
Poets are judged on content, performance, and the soul they throw into the room by audience members and professional panels alike. It’s not just art; it’s impact with punctuation.
The 2025 WPSC was held May 30th to June 1st in the desert city of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Hosted by Circuito Nacional Poetry Slam México in partnership with Abya Yala Poetry Slam and the WPSO, the event was as hot as the sun but ten times more electrifying.
Over 30 countries participated, from Japan to Kenya, Colombia to Germany, with both in-person and virtual performers showing up ready to transform silence into standing ovations.
King Yaw, proudly waving the red-gold-green with black star, was Ghana’s poetic gladiator. And what a performance it was!
Semifinals? He nailed a perfect 30 in Round 2.
Finals? He tied for top score — 59.9 out of 60.
Result?First place. Gold medal. World Slam Champion.
And backing him with flair, strategy, and calm fire was Ghana’s Slam Master, Theophilus Atuahene Adu, known globally as IyamAtuahene the PR tactician, culutral architect, and master of behind-the-scenes magic who led the charge with precision and vision.
VALUE PREPOSITION OF THIS VICTORY
Let’s not kid ourselves, this is monumental.
Global Recognition: Ghana is now officially on the global slam map, no longer a rising star but the star.
Creative Validation: For every poet grinding in Osu, Adabraka, Madina or Tamale this proves that Ghanaian narratives matter globally.
Youth Inspiration: This win is a loudspeaker to young voices: you can rise, rhyme, and reign.
Investment Magnet: Brands, institutions, and cultural ministries the arts work. Now’s the time to plug in.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Ah, let’s talk family.
Ehalakasa, Ghana’s trailblazing poetry movement, is the incubator where King Yaw found his fire and IyamAtuahene honed his strategy. From dusty open mics to curated national slams, Ehalakasa has consistently built platforms for poetic expression, mental health, social justice, and cultural celebration.
In fact, it was under the Ehalakasa Grand Slam system that King Yaw was selected as Ghana’s official rep — a process built with transparency, creativity, and vision. This win is proof that community-driven art ecosystems work when they are nourished with professionalism and purpose.
They say poets are broke philosophers. Well, King Yaw just broke that myth with a trophy. Ghana’s spoken word scene didn’t just clap back. It clapped forward. With rhythm, roots, and revolutionary rhyme.
So next time you hear someone say “words don’t matter,” tell them Ghana just won the world with syllables.
And to the world, we say: welcome to the Ehalakasa era. It Still Lives In Us
Written by: Theopilus Atuahene Adu aka IyamAtuahene Slam Master AND EHALAKASA Managing Partner,
“Where the voice of the people becomes the power of the people.”
Accra, Ghana – March 21, 2025 – The power of words takes center stage as Heritage Brewery and Ehalakasa come together to celebrate World Poetry Day with an unforgettable Open Mic Night.
At 6:00 PM sharp, poets, storytellers, and spoken word artists will gather at Heritage Brewery for an evening of rhythm, storytelling, and unfiltered self-expression. The event is FREE and welcomes everyone—from seasoned slam poets to first-time performers looking to share their voice.
Why You Can’t Miss This
1️⃣ A Stage for Every Poet – Whether you’re a performer or a listener, this is a night to immerse yourself in powerful words, raw emotions, and creative storytelling.
2️⃣ A Poetry Community Like No Other – Ehalakasa is a movement. It’s where poetry breathes, where culture meets rhythm, and where every word carries weight.
3️⃣ A Celebration of Spoken Word – World Poetry Day is more than just a date—it’s a global call to amplify voicesthat need to be heard.
Join the Movement
This is more than just an Open Mic Night. It’s a moment to connect, express, and celebrate the magic of poetry. Bring your voice, your energy, and your poetic soul.
In a night filled with rhythm, passion, and the sheer power of spoken word, AFI emerged victorious as the 2025 Sheshe Slam Champion, solidifying her place among Ghana’s finest slam poets with a winning streak from 2023, 2024 and 2025.
With an electrifying score of 57 (29 in the first round and 28 in the second), she captivated both the audience and the judges, delivering a performance that was nothing short of spectacular.
The competition was fierce, with Twita Lit finishing as the runner-up with 53 points and Mama Rasta securing third place with 50 points. But AFI’s ability to command the stage and weave words into a compelling narrative set her apart.
What Makes AFI a Champion?
AFI’s performance was a masterclass in poetic delivery—blending emotion, storytelling, and a commanding presence. She tackled themes that resonated deeply, drawing the audience into her world with every verse.
Her triumph at the Sheshe Slam is not just a win for her but for the entire spoken word community, reinforcing the power of poetry in storytelling, advocacy, and self-expression.
The Future of Sheshe Slam & Ehalakasa
The Sheshe Slam continues to be a pioneering platform for emerging voices in poetry. As Ghana’s premier spoken word movement, Ehalakasa is committed to pushing boundaries and creating spaces for poets to shine.
AFI’s victory consolidate her prowess and cements her claim as the most decorated Woman Slammer in Ghana as the 5th best slammer in the World Poetry Slam Championship 2024 and the only woman to win the SheShe Slam three times in a row, the world is waiting to see how she will continue to transform words into impact.
Follow @ehalakasa for more updates on the poetry scene.
The 2025 WPSC was held May 30th to June 1st in the desert city of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Hosted by Circuito Nacional Poetry Slam México in partnership with Abya Yala Poetry Slam and the WPSO, the event was as hot as the sun but ten times more electrifying.
