Walk The Talk has done it again with the two-day poetry celebration in several languages, LIPFEST 2016. It was a moment that unearthed a lot of creative artiste from the University, high school and the professional world. While the night of performances went on, poems touched on various themes. Among them was the advocacy for peace and against child mortality which came in the form of choreopoems, “Agony of a state” and “Gbobaloi” repectvely.
Walk The Talk Group was supported by the Careers and Counselling Centre of University of Ghana, legon under the leadership of Mrs. Jocelene Buckman. For some years now the Club has received several supports from the centre which is spearheading the agenda to have graduate students fit well into the current world of work by knowing what their employers require of them. The centre also believes that students should pursue their academic goals without neglecting their creative talents. Her presence at the LIPFEST 2016 night of performances was very inspiring.
It was a memorable occasion to meet Celestine Nudanu, a Ghanaian Haiku poet who had one of her works featured in the “Honourable mention” category of the just ended 5th Japan-Russia Haiku contest 2016. Together with Adjei Agyei-Baah, another Ghanaian Haiku poet, a lot of light is been thrown concerning this new form of poetry writing into the Ghanaian poetry tunnels. She exhibited her collection, “Haiku Rhapsodies”, So was Dr Charity Boateng of the Department of English, University of Ghana.
The legon fraternity of poets also had their share on the stage with lovely pices of spoken word and poetry performance. Names like Histrian Lexano, “Unthinking Traditions”,”Gleam and glamour”; Siddique M. Siddique, “Friends of Justice,”The crusade”; Molai Esther, (“Lina” by Alexander Pushkin); Abotreh, “My faded shirt”, “I speak words of greatness”, “A message from your grand child” sank into the ears of our audience. The President of El Club Hispanico, Gilberta Minka performed the poem”El encuentro” from Leander David’s spanish collection. Our guest poets Madina and Civilian Michel, performed “Mixtures” and (“A sleve”,”Never say never”) respectively. The host also did his “I sing another dirge tonight“and “She is looking at me” duo ….
Another important group worth mention was the Kathy Knowles theatre group which performed the two choreopoems of Leander David. It was the group’s first performance at the University of Ghana. With zeal and zest they danced their heart out. It was a dance which was full of energy, marking each feet with the rhythmic beat. Young as they were, on average at High school level, yet performed above all standards. For them it was a great exposure performing at that platform with the likes Leander David who directed and formed part of the stage enactment. A click on the “Agony of a state” gives you an excerpt from the choreopoem . This choreopoem speaks to a wide range of social issues. Among them is that of the June 3rd disaster which befell Ghana.
Walk The talk has succeeded in introducing high school level youth to choreopoems. On their part, it was a bold step to inculcate and nurture creative talents among the youth at an early stage. Thanks to the support of some individuals like Kathy Knowles, a Canadian philanthropist who has really dedicated her life to instilling in our young ones the habit of reading. She has established several Community Libraries in the country and has gone further to set up a theatre base for the Ghanaian youth. Anyone can visit Korleogonno and Nima Commmunity Library to have a glimpse of this theatrical experience, likewise the other Libraries scattered in Mamprobi, Madina and other areas.
The organizers have a lot to thank Kathy Knowles for her support to organize the festival’s writing contest. The poetry writing contest that came with this year’s celebration when sustained will solve a major challenge facing most young writers in becoming published authors. I urge all philanthropists, lovers of arts and writing to emulate this kind gesture and support the activities of the Walk The Talk Group (WTTG) so that their efforts can be sustained. For the WTTG not only seeks to promote a vibrant creative industry which will be a source of livelihood but as well impart into the lives of our youth and maintain healthier and peaceful society.
The festival also highlighted the cultural immersion of some language students who go on a year abroad programme after third year studying a foreign language. Some exhibits from those who went to Cuba took us through some Cuban arts and crafts, carnival nights, their musical instruments and their clean beaches and shores. There is a lot Ghana can learn from countries which these expositions came from in order to make it the main tourist destination in Africa.
All ended on a good note with interractions.
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