Ghana's Architecture and Design Festival: Build and Be Bold Locally
In 2019, She Grows It™ launched SGI Ghana in alignment with our African expansion plan and to build on the ‘Year of Return’ synergies of progress and prosperity locally. She Grows It has been following the Year of Return since September 2018 when Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo declared 2019 as the “Year of Return.” This campaign was targeted toward African Americans and other members of the African Diaspora to return home for the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved African arriving in Jamestown Virginia. When making this announcement in Washington DC, he acknowledged that 2019 would be the first of many years of returning home. And, this year Ghana has been doing a great job of leading the continent with a multi-year plan to build connections and establish relationships with the Diaspora on history, culture, business and so much more.
SGI is charged by the multi-year plan because we embody building local durable development and partnering with locally owned businesses to execute our vision and strategy for achievement. SGI’s country strategy in Ghana is centered on long-term economic growth that utilizes local environmental resources to maximize returns. Our transdisciplinary policy, program and project approach integrates health, education and economic empowerment as a part of how we succeed in advancing the well being of the communities we serve globally. And, to accomplish this work locally, we are intentional in building strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations that are mission and vision align, which allows us to grow forward, faster.
Ghana has been successful in its urbanization push by complementing it with growth, poverty reduction and human capital development. And, local firms are taking bold steps to build local awareness and credibility of national goods, services, and talents. Brandason, a BeSpoke Marketing and Advertising firm headquartered in the capital city Accra, Ghana creates a unique and dynamic working environment, constantly providing clients with cutting edge solutions to enable them to build and sustain their brands. Commitment to building and sustaining brands and communities within the Ghanaian ecosystem is a focus of Brandason and SGI.
Next month, Brandason is launching the first Architecture and Design Festival in Ghana, established to capture the synergies, innovations, and progress being made in the building arts industry. This nation-wide series of events will feature exhibitions, installations, panel discussions and workshops, open houses, and rooftop tours. This year’s theme is ‘Living Spaces,’ a showcase of local talent, concepts, ideas and models on affordable housing in a bid to interject bold strategies to reduce the housing deficit in Ghana. To learn more about the 60+ events and installations or the 100+ local architecture and design firms participating visit the festival page!
By Dr. Ashley D. Milton