At 18:00 GMT on Monday 6th March 2017 the announcement of the Future of Ghana 2017 Top 30 U30 took place live on Abn Radio UK amongst huge anticipation online.

The Top 30 U30 list revealed a diverse range of talent, pioneers and changemakers from Ghana and the diaspora. There is strong representation from countries in the diaspora such as the UK, Canada, and the USA. This year’s Top 30 list also saw an even split between genders for the first time ever.

Among the pioneers selected were Koby “Posty” Hagan founder of UK Urban Entertainment platform GRM Daily , Ghana based digital entrepreneur and founder of the Circumspecte platform Jemila Abdulai,  Ghanaian Media Influencer and Radio/TV Personality Antoine Mensah  and 16 year old rising fencing star Yasmine Fosu to name but a few. For the full list visit www.futureofghana.com

Now in its 3rd cycle Me FiRi Ghana once again began a mission to find the pioneers and innovators of the Future back in October 2016 by undertaking a global search for the top 30 Ghanaian talent aged 18 – 30 years – impacting industries around the world. The search consisted of an open nomination process from (28 October – 2 December 2016) driven through Ghanaian Diplomatic missions, Ghanaian Associations/Organisations, Commonwealth Secretariat, media partners and social media using the official hashtag #FOG2017

The job of assisting the Future of Ghana Committee to select worthy candidates went to this cycle’s esteemed judging panel – Lord Michael Hastings CBE, Sangu Delle, Queen Naa Tsotsoo Soyoo I, Nana Aba Anamoah and the Charity’s  patron James Barnor.

#IamFutureofGhana…

From the 13th March 2017, the Future of Ghana will launch a targeted social media campaign – #IamFutureofGhana

Using this hashtag, the campaigns aim will be to continue the conversation around Ghana’s development in such a significant independence year but more importantly mobilise Ghanaians all over the world to think about what role they can play in Ghana’s development.

When Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo revealed the Ghana@60 logo last month it came with the slogan; “Mobilising for Ghana’s Future” which of course is reflected in the Future of Ghana’s mission statement.

The public will be able to participate in the conversation by using the hashtag on all social media platforms whilst posting/accessing exclusive visuals.

Stay tuned to our platforms from the 13th March for further information.

The search….

Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation (Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary General)

“In less than 3 generations 41% of the world’s youth will be African”, “By 2035, Africa’s labour force will be larger than China’s” (Mo Ibrahim Foundation)

It was the above statements amongst others that were the catalyst behind the creation of the Future of Ghana initiative in October 2014. A time to celebrate, mobilize and invest in young people of Ghanaian heritage around the world on an annual basis at a critical time in Africa’s growth.

Now in its 3rd cycle Me FiRi Ghana once again begin a mission to find the pioneers and innovators of the Future through the first objective of the Future of Ghana initiative by undertaking a global search for the top 30 Ghanaian talent aged 18 – 30 years – impacting industries around the world. The search will consist of an open nomination process driven through Ghanaian Diplomatic missions, Ghanaian Associations/Organisations, Commonwealth secretariat, media partners and social media using the official hashtag #FOG2017

Nominations for Future of Ghana 2017 are NOW OPEN to the public until 2 December 2016 via the website. Once closed nominees will be whittled down to a top 30 by a select judging panel, and featured in our annual online publication to be released in March 2017.

This cycle’s esteemed judging panel will be revealed in the week commencing 21 November 2016 so look out for the announcements across our platforms. Previous judges include Dentaa Amoateng MBE, Andy Ansah, Ethel Cofie and Isaac Babu-Boateng amongst others.

The initiative has been endorsed by the Ghanaian High Commission UK and British High Commission in Accra. Who both recognize its merits for capacity building and future prosperity of Ghana. Ghanaian High Commissioner to the UK H.E Victor Emmanuel Smith said of the initiative upon its inception; “It is heart-warming to realise that young people of Ghanaian heritage are mobilizing themselves to contribute to the development efforts of their motherland, Ghana“

Future of Ghana Patron and pioneering photographer James Barnor says of the initiative;

“I am privileged to be chosen as patron for the Future of Ghana initiative. It is refreshing to see young Ghanaians in the Diaspora so forward thinking and genuinely passionate about our nation’s future. This initiative will mobilize and inspire a generation of Ghanaians to come together and utilize their skills for the development of Ghana. I see History in the making!

Portrait of a Ghanaian woman, Eva, in London, 1960s. (James Barnor/Courtesy Autograph ABP)

In 1957, after over a century of colonization, Ghana gained independence from Britain. Just 30 years prior, in 1929, photographer James Barnor was born in the country’s capital Accra — then the Gold Coast colony — and over the course of a career that spanned more than six decades would become one of Ghana’s leading and most well-known photographers. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Barnor created a definitive portfolio of street and studio portraiture depicting societies in transition: images of a burgeoning sub-Saharan African nation moving toward independence, and a European capital city becoming a multicultural metropolis.

Jim Bailey and friends at a Drum party, Chorkor beach, Accra, 1950s. (James Barnor/Courtesy Autograph ABP)

Ghana in the 1950s was experiencing a radiance of post-colonization as well as its “heyday of Highlife,” a fusion of traditional African rhythms, Latin calypso and jazz influences that would soon spread across Ghana’s borders to West Africa and beyond. Its rising cosmopolitan class in the capital of Accra was breathing energy into a multitude of areas — from fashion to food to art — and was a vivid reflection of the country’s post-independent attitude. Barnor captured all of this energy, playing at once artist, director, photographer and technician, by offering a well-rounded portrait of Ghanian life from many walks of life.

On Oct. 8, Autograph ABP and the gallery Clementine de la Feronniere will release the book “Ever Young” showcasing Barnor’s extensive archive, followed by a corresponding photo exhibition in Paris through Nov. 21.

In 1953, after completing his apprenticeship and running an open-air mobile studio for several years, Barnor opened his own studio called Ever Young, which transformed into one of Accra’s leading photographic studios. Six years later he moved to London in 1959, just in time to witness first-hand the cool Swinging London of the 1960s, and where he would begin to experiment with color photography. It was through this transition that Barnor would become, uniquely perhaps, the only African studio photographer to leave the continent prior to 1960 to study and practice in Europe.

Mike Eghan at Piccadilly Circus, London, 1967. (James Barnor/Courtesy Autograph ABP

Whether in Ghana or Britain, Barnor documented cultures in transformation, new identities coming into being — the fragmented experience of modernity and diaspora, the shaping of cosmopolitan societies and selves, and the changing representation of blackness, desire and beauty across time and space. His archive constitutes not only a rare document of the black experience in post-war Britain during the Swinging Sixties, but also provides an important frame of reference, overlapping and stitching together questions of the post-colonial in relation to diasporic perspectives in 20th-century photography.

Article taken from Washington Post. Full article and pictures can be found here

Mobilizing Ghana’s talent for Development!

Why the Future of Ghana…

“In less than 3 generations 41% of the world’s youth will be African”, “By 2035, Africa’s labour force will be larger than China’s” (Mo Ibrahim Foundation)…

Thus we believe now is time to celebrate, mobilize and invest in young people of Ghanaian heritage at a critical time in Africa’s growth.

Who are Ghana’s Future leaders? Who are the young people out there innovating and creating change? …… It’s about time we found out!

Award winning London based company Me FiRi Ghana are on a mission to find the pioneers and innovators of the Future by launching the Future of Ghana campaign.

The main objective of the campaign is to organize and mobilize Ghanaian talent for the development of Ghana by undertaking a global search for the top 30 Ghanaian talent aged 18 – 30 years – impacting industries around the world. The search will consist of an open nomination process driven through social media, media partners and using the official hashtag #FutureofGhana with the top 30 being featured in online publication. The secondary objective will be to stage a “Dragon’s Den” style competition in Ghana for budding entrepreneurs and small/medium size business owners hoping to expand.

Nominations for the Future of Ghana are now open to the public until 17 December 2014 via the website. Once closed nominees will be whittled down to a top 30 by a select judging panel, ready for the publication release in March 2015. The esteemed judging panel will be revealed the week commencing 1 December 2014 so look out for updates on twitter.

The campaign has been endorsed by Ghanaian High Commissioner to the UK H.E Victor Emmanuel Smith. He has pledged his commitment to the campaign by agreeing to host a luncheon with a select number of the top 30 pioneers in the spring of 2015.

Future of Ghana Patron and pioneering photographer James Barnor says of the initiative;

“I am privileged to be chosen as patron for the Future of Ghana initiative. It is refreshing to see young Ghanaians in the Diaspora so forward thinking and genuinely passionate about our nation’s future. This initiative will mobilize and inspire a generation of Ghanaians to come together and utilize their skills for the development of Ghana. I can see history in the making. For that reason I am more than happy to be involved”

Let’s make history!

Ben Jk Anim-Antwi (@Kwesitheauthor)

Qirv Ventures Brings Acclaimed Photographer James Barnor On A Triumphant Return To Accra for First-Ever Retrospective of His Work in Ghana

Who: After several decades in Europe, iconic Ghanaian photographer James Barnor returns to Accra to celebrate the launch of the first-ever retrospective of his work in Ghana. Titled, ‘Ghana – A Heritage Ever Young,’ the exhibit will feature dozens of exclusive and some never-before seen prints from the photographer’s archives. Barnor’s celebrated prints feature intimate portraits of Presidents (Kwame Nkrumah, Jerry Rawlings etc.), Politicians (J.B. Danquah, Obetsebi Lamptey), athletes (Adjetey Sowah, Muhammed Ali, etc.) and influencers, (Michael Eghan, A.Q.A. Acheampong etc.).

In addition, Barnor’s lense captured everyday Ghanaians who were making history all their own such as the country’s first Police Woman and one of the first married interracial couples in Accra. The exhibit, which takes place June 30th through July 2nd, will be on display at the Silverbird Lounge in Accra Mall.

The exhibit is presented by London based company, Qirv Ventures, who are passionate about the works and are on a mission to raise awareness about Barnor’s epic contribution to the media, culture and heritage of Ghana.

What: ‘Ghana – A Heritage For Ever Young’ Photography Exhibition. This event marks the firstever retrospective of the work of James Barnor, who captured Ghana’s golden age of Independence. It will feature dozens of photographs, curated / handpicked by Barnor and Quest for public viewing.

The three day exhibit will be preceded by an invitation only dinner and cocktail hour at the British Council on Friday, June 29th.

When: Private dinner and cocktail reception: Friday, June 29th. Three day photo exhibit, Saturday June 30th through Monday, July 2^nd

Where: Dinner and Cocktail Hour to take place at the British Council; Three day photo exhibit to take place at Silverbird Lounge, Accra Mall

Contact: admin@qirv.com and zandile@zandileblay.com OR tel: +233 (0) 5442 90909

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Flagship Brands Support Qirv Ventures in Groundbreaking Exhibition of Works By Acclaimed Photographer James Barnor

Accra, Ghana – In weeks leading up to the highly anticipated ‘Ghana – A Heritage For Ever Young’ exhibition – major flagship companies are showing support. Graphic Communiations Group, home of the leading newspaper publisher in Ghana, has joined a prestigious list of companies who will contribute to the groundbreaking exhibition. Graphic joins other media partners such as Ghana Broadcasting Corporation / GTV as well as radio station XYZ in documenting and reporting this historic moment.

In addition to media partners, the British Council have joined the movement to bring awareness to Mr. Barnor’s contribution by hosting an invitation only Opening Ceremony, Dinner and Private Viewing of Mr. Barnor’s archives.

The newly opened Silver Bird Lounge in Accra Mall has also come on board as host of a special three-day unorthodox public viewing of Mr. Barnor’s work.

Local and International Campaign supporters also include Basics International, Africa Style Daily, Autograph ABP, GUBA Awards, Me Firi Ghana, Ghanaian Londoners etc.

Together these media partners, institutions and venues are aiding Qirv Ventures’ campaign to highlight and honor Mr. Barnor for his rich contribution to Ghana’s history and heritage.

For more details on supporting or sponsoring email: admin@qirv.com

‘Ghana – A Heritage For Ever Young’

Timeline & Key Dates

June 2012

June 16: James Barnor Arrives in Accra

June 19 to 23: Barnor visits Press Partners and various Press Offices

June 25: Press Conference at Press Center

June 29: Opening Ceremony, Dinner & Cocktail Hour at British Council

June 30 to July 2: Three Day Exhibit at Silverbird Lounge, Accra Mall

July 4: One Day Photography Seminar led by Mr. Barnor

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About James Barnor

James Barnor is famed across the globe as a pioneer in photojournalism. He cut his teeth working out of his own makeshift studio (which he christened “Ever Young”) taking portraits of sitters from all walks of life, from civil servants to newly-weds. In the late 50s, Barnor moved to London to work as a fashion photographer, and began to capture unique images of Africans living in Britain. His covers and fashion shoots for Drum, the most widely read magazine in Africa at the time (established by British poet Jim Bailey), were taken while Barnor was based in the UK, and placed black models dressed in western, 60s fashions in typical London settings: in front of a red telephone box, exiting a tube station, or surrounded by pigeons in Trafalgar Square. He shot famous faces, too––Mohammed Ali preparing to fight Brian London in 1966, and Roy “Black Flash” Ankrah, after he became the first black person to win the British Empire featherweight boxing title in 1951. The pictures have become slices of history, documenting race and modernity in the post-colonial world. But according to the 83-year-old, the message he conveyed through his work was an accidental one; he always worked from commissions.

“Through my entire career I never chose many subjects, they just came. I live happy-go-lucky,” he says, “I call myself Lucky Jim.” Ever Young: James Barnor, the first comprehensive exhibition of the photographer’s street and studio work in Accra will debut June 30th through July 2nd at the Silverbird Lounge at Accra Mall.

About Qirv Ventures

Qirv Ventures is a London based holding company. It houses a spectrum of businesses from creative industries to property development under its umbrella. It was founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Myx Boadi-Alawiye Quest. In addition to the United Kingdom, Qirv manages operations in Africa and the United States. Learn more at www.qirv.com.