Maxwell African Scholars Union presents: Akosua Korantemaa

In the past 15 years, Ghana has seen a rapid rise in development, beginning from the switch from military rule to democracy. The country has since seen the return of many people who left for the west for greener pastures, particularly young men and women in their late twenties to mid-thirties. They go to invest in the country, set up businesses, NGOs or work for the government. These creative individuals are rebranding Ghana and Africa, looking beyond colonial boundaries. Set with determination to repackage the culture and lifestyle of the country in new and refreshing ways, they are defying the odds and limitations and defining the Afropolitan style. Trends within Architecture, Art, Fashion and Music reflect these changes. In all fields, designers and entrepreneurs are tailoring their brands with the locals in mind and yet looking globally as well. Post-colonialism, and a few years into independence, Ghana’s fast track infrastructural development went stagnant for many years due to coups and political instability. Now with a shift in the political scene, Ghanaians have renewed hope. This hope is heightened by the recent discovery and exploration of oil. Akosua Korantemaa Larbi is currently completing her final year as a graduate student at the School of Architecture in Syracuse University. Speaking: Akosua Korantemaa Larbi Graduate Student School of Architecture, Syracuse University Sponsor: Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs, Co-Sponsor Maxwell African Scholars Union, Co-Sponsor