Time with Koo Ntakra

The creative art and the corporate worldCreative art + the corporate world = where imagination meets structure. They need each other more than people think.How they clash| Creative art | Corporate world || Values: Originality, expression, risk | Values: Efficiency, ROI, consistency || Process: Messy, intuitive, non-linear | Process: Deadlines, KPIs, approval chains || Success metric: Impact,...

Family treasure = anything your family passes down that holds value. It’s usually less about money, more about meaning.3 types of family treasure| Type | What it looks like | Why it matters || 1. Heirlooms | Jewelry, kente cloth, stools, watches, land deeds | Physical link to ancestors. Carries history in your hands || 2. Stories & traditions | Grandma’s groundnut soup recipe, family...

The creative art and the corporate worldCreative art + the corporate world = where imagination meets structure. They need each other more than people think.How they clash| Creative art | Corporate world || Values: Originality, expression, risk | Values: Efficiency, ROI, consistency || Process: Messy, intuitive, non-linear | Process: Deadlines, KPIs, approval chains || Success metric: Impact,...

Animals and the local(Akan) and English namesHere’s a quick list of common animals with Akan and English names. Akan spelling varies a bit by dialect, but this is Twi/Akuapem standard:Domestic Animals| English | Akan | Notes || Dog | Okraman | Literally “hunter’s animal” || Cat | Okwraman / Nkwakora | Okwraman is common. Nkwakora is more formal || Goat | Abirekyi | || Sheep | Odwan | || Cow /...

Perception of African deities changes a lot depending on who’s talking, where, and when. There isn’t one single view.Inside Africa - traditional viewFor many ethnic groups, what outsiders call “deities” are actually:Abosom / Orishas / Nkisi / Ancestors: Forces, principles, and ancestral spirits that govern nature, morality, and community life.Not gods in the “Greek Zeus” sense: Most African...

Discovering talent in Ghana works differently than just scrolling SoundCloud. It’s 60% street/groundwork, 40% online. Here’s how it actually happens:Where talent shows up firstLive scenesBars/lounges in Accra & Kumasi: Front/Back, Republic Bar, Bloombar. Open mic nights on Wednesdays/Thursdays are where producers scout.School events: KNUST, UG, Ashesi, GIJ host “rap battles” and “vocal...

"Spiritually in the music industry" touches 3 different angles people usually mean:Traditional/Spiritual practices artists use for successIn Ghana + globally, some artists use spiritual backing to protect their careers:Prayers & anointing: Gospel artists fast before album drops. Secular artists visit pastors/prophets for direction or “open doors”.Traditional protection: Visiting shrines,...

"Spiritually in the music industry" touches 3 different angles people usually mean:Traditional/Spiritual practices artists use for successIn Ghana + globally, some artists use spiritual backing to protect their careers:Prayers & anointing: Gospel artists fast before album drops. Secular artists visit pastors/prophets for direction or “open doors”.Traditional protection: Visiting shrines,...

Child labor means work that deprives children of their childhood, education, or harms their health and development. Not all work kids do is “child labor” - helping with light chores after school is normal. The problem is exploitative or hazardous work.In Ghana’s context:Where it shows up most: Cocoa farms in Western North & Ashanti, fishing on Lake Volta, gold mining “galamsey” sites, and...

The future for upcoming artists in Ghana looks promising, but it’s also more competitive than ever. Here’s what’s shaping it right now:*What’s working in their favor:*- Digital platforms: Spotify, Audiomack, Boomplay, TikTok, and YouTube let artists bypass traditional gatekeepers. Black Sherif and Amaarae both blew up largely through streaming + socials before major label deals.- Global appetite...