In collaboration with the University of Calgary, the University of Ghana School of Social Sciences, and the School of Arts officially launched a documentary show and graphic novel of the Queen Mother Legacy of Nana Yaa Asantewaa.
The launch, held on November 28, 2024, at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, aimed to honor Yaa Asantewaa’s contributions to Ghanaian and African history while educating and inspiring future generations.
In her opening remarks, the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Professor Mavis Darko-Gyeke, expressed gratitude to Partners while highlighting the keen significance of Yaa Asantewas’s contributions to Feminism.
“Yaa Asantewaa’s story is one of feminism, leadership, liberty, empowerment of women, and an inspiration to all women. Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s role in the war highlights contemporary discourse on traditional women who had played essential roles in the feminist movements in Africa. In addition, her selflessness and determination to defend the Asante Kingdom are worthy of consideration in schools in Canada and Ghana”
Professor William Baah Boateng, an economist, outlined the purpose of the initiative and emphasized the importance of women’s economic empowerment and gender equality.
“This documentary and the book launch should rekindle our efforts to continue the debate on ensuring women’s economic empowerment and of course gender equality.”
Professor Linda Kreitzer of the University of Calgary shared insights from the four-year research project that informed the documentary and graphic novel.
“Our Ghanaian symbol for this project is Sankofa, learning from the past to guide your future. Over the 4 years we have analyzed colonial writings, visited archeological sites and the likes, analyzed articles, and books, and interviewed people to bring to you a fresh perspective about her through a documentary and a novel.”
Professor Deborah Atobrah, Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA), highlighted the Center’s plans to incorporate the resource into its teaching and learning to expose students of the university to the retold history of Yaa Asantewaa.
“At CEGENSA, every undergraduate student is introduced to gender studies. We hope this resource becomes part of our teaching materials, ensuring that every graduate is familiar with this retold history of Yaa Asantewaa.”
The event featured cultural performances and an assemblage of Queen mothers, Departmental heads, and students. It also concluded with a fund-raising ceremony to support the initiative of reestablishing the memory of Nana Yaa Asantewaa.
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Story by: Vannessa Nyasi Mensah | universnews.ug.edu.gh
