In an age where identity is often lost in noise, Akolgo Anyeteliba Veronica, known on stage as Teliba – The Barefoot Woman, is walking a different path literally and figuratively. As a cultural ambassador and the crowned Queen of the North Ghana 2022, Teliba embodies the spirit of a generation seeking connection to its roots while carving out new artistic ground.
Hailing from Ghana’s northern belt, Teliba’s presence on stage is unmistakable. She performs barefoot not as a gimmick, but as a sacred symbol of grounding, humility, and authenticity. Her feet touch the same soil that nourished her ancestors, and through her poetry, she bridges the spiritual with the political, the personal with the pan-African.
A powerful spoken word artist, Teliba’s voice flows like river water soft in tone, sharp in truth. Her verses speak to cultural identity, womanhood, decolonization, and social awakening. Whether she is chanting against cultural erasure or invoking ancestral wisdom, her message is consistent: Africa must reclaim its voice and use it wisely.
Beyond performance, Teliba is a committed cultural activist, using poetry to inspire critical thought and radical self-love. She challenges modern constructs of success and beauty, urging youth to embrace their heritage unapologetically. Her mission? To be a vessel not for fame, but for freedom.
Now preparing to take the stage at the Ehalakasa National Poetry Slam Prelims 2025, supported by the British Council, Teliba stands not only as a contender but as a catalyst for cultural resurgence. She doesn’t just recite poems she summons spirits, reclaims narratives, and reminds us that barefoot isn’t bare it’s bold.
