Posts

The British Ghanaian breaking barriers in communication

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Meet the young entrepreneur who looks set to make the phrase 'Lost in Translation' obsolete with the launch of his latest wireless technology. Entrepreneur Danny Manu © Mymanu His name is Danny Manu, he is a British-Ghanaian engineer and music producer, and is only 29 years old. He is also the founder/director of Manchester-based start-up company Mymanu and the brains behind Mymanu Clik - the Bluetooth earbuds which allow users speaking in one language to converse with someone else speaking another. Can you ear me? The concept sounds fantastical and futuristic - I know - but as I speak, this technology is undergoing final tests. Customers that have pre-ordered the Mymanu Clik will be able to pick it up in early summer. By late August, the product, which is expected to retail at $300 (£240) will be available to the general public, London-born Manu told MisBeee. Mymanu Clik is the second major offering from this innovative start-up...

MisBeee Writes in the UK and Ghanaian press

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Exploring Britain's African Connections Huffington Post 27 March 2017 Mother's campaign to encourage natural hair Voice Online 26 March 2017 From Brazil to West Africa and Britain: The Story of the Taboms (part 2) New Black Magazine 13 February 2017 Meet Ray Styles (Emmanuel Apraku) The Ghanaian artist bucking the trend and following his art GhanaStar 24 January 2017 Meet Ray Styles (Emmanuel Apraku) The Ghanaian artist bucking the trend and following his art Redditt 24 January 2017 Security guard's artistic dream becoming a reality Voice Online 19-25 January 2017 Security guard's artistic dream becoming a reality Radio Sandwell 21 January 2017 Autism awareness call Voice Online 12-18 January 2017 Shakespeare brewed in Ghanaian pot graphic.com.gh 13 January 2017 Skin sensitivity spurs British-Ghanaian to launch vegan business Kokoa review 2 January 2017

Misdiagnosis, mental health and one mother's journey

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Misdiagnosis delayed one London-born teenager’s treatment for Asperger Syndrome by 17 years until a chance visit to a doctor in Ghana changed her life for the better. Mother and Child  © Agnali "Ann-Marie was born in 1998 and she was always an active and alert baby. I remember my aunty commenting on it,” her mother Jayne said. “But I thought that was positive.” At six weeks old, Ann-Marie stopped sleeping in the afternoon and it was increasingly difficult to keep her still. As she grew older, her behaviour became more unusual.  “I remember on her first day at nursery, her teacher asked me if she had sight or co-ordination problems. My husband and I had her assessed but she didn't. "By the time she was four years old, her cousin, who was also her best friend, left the nursery. That was the first time that I saw that she struggled. She wasn’t sleeping well at night and would wake up and stand at the foot of the bed and ask: ‘did I do something wron...

Could Ghana take a leaf out of Tanzania's textile industry?

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With the current explosion of African textiles in global fashion, I am fairly sure that many of you reading this will have one or two pieces making a home in your wardrobe. Typically, if the cloth Samples from the CHiCHiA collection image sourced from CHiCHiA Sweet Mummy: Yehowa Nhyira Wo (Jehovah Bless You)  A typical Ghanaian cloth (Ntuma) (Ntuma/Ankara) was manufactured for the West African market, the colours and patterns would be the dominant features. Any wording to explain the meaning behind the patterns would be relegated to the edges of the materials or become part of the hem of a skirt or wrapa. Business branding There are exceptions of course. Businesses, institutions and political parties tend to feature names from their company,  university on these textiles or use it for commemorative occasions, and this form of communication is not unique to Ghana. It happens in Tanzania and neighbouring countries as well, as a way of buil...

British-Ghanaian TV personalities share their career tips

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If you think you've exhausted all options when progressing your career, there is always something else you can try. That's what I took away from the Star 100's 'In Conversation' session with TV and KissFM radio presenter Melvin Odoom and Sky TV newsreader Claudia-Liza Armah on 25 February. MisBeee with Claudia-Liza and Melvin Odoom who have both forged careers on British TV screens You couldn't pick more wildly different personalities if you tried. Melvin, who has Ga and Fante roots, had me gripped even before the session started. He mixed easily with the audience, renewed my faith that some celebrities are down to earth, and effortlessly had us 'catchin joke' throughout his talk.  Claudia-Liza exposed her nerdy side and had me enthralled at how years of parent-enforced incarceration (the story of my life as the daughter of immigrant Ghanaian parents) had resulted in her becoming somewhat of a TV expert. At one stage during...

Ghana Independence – why stop at 60?

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Ghana turns 60 on 6 March 2017, having forged the way for other Sub-Saharan African countries to secure independence from Western colonisers. That day was marked by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s rousing address to those thronged in Accra’s Independence Square that the black man was capable of managing his own affairs. Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and cabinet ministers ©   Typically, when this annual celebration swings by, there is a rash of adverts urging people to pull out their favourite garbs and mark the auspicious day at some 'dinner and dance' function. Observing the day is a powerful reminder to old and young about the sacrifices men and women went through to attain social, political and economic independence. Beacon of hope Those still alive now that were present then will no doubt recall the raising of the Ghana’s iconic flag, designed by Theodosia Okoh, and the electric feeling of hope and positivity that ran through Independence Square. Ghan...

Vlog: Amateur Ghanaian artist and his fascination with everyday people

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Robert Badu is an amateur artist whose gift has been nurtured by a fascination with Asante cultural symbols (such as Asante gold weights ), vibrant colours and everyday people. Robert Badu comes from the Mampong Royal Family ©  MisBeee Writes In the vlog below, Badu explores his early influences and explains why sheer determination meant his dyslexia was not a hindrance to him becoming an artist. Badu is a trained teacher (not in art) although he has been known to teach the subject when the need has arisen. He currently works as a corporate security guard but has hopes of pursuing his artistic passions full time. He boasts a healthy following on social media which includes US musicians Arrested Development – one of Badu’s favourite groups whose hit song ‘Everyday People’ inspired his work. The piece below 'The Politician' shares an uncanny resemblance to US president Donald Trump. But this is only coincidental said Badu as the painting was produced in 2012...