Dust (September 2012)

FREE MAGAZINE
September 2012
24 July, 2012 R.I.P
www.dustaccra.com
Contents
7. Editorial 8. Contributors 27. Playlist 28. Passing Through 29. We the People
SOUND
60. Bad Religion
FREESTYLE
11. You Know Its Election Season When... 12. Health: Cancer 101 14. Over Here 16. Akasanoma: Speak Ghana 18. Heart: Multikids Academy 19. Tech: Social Media in the Election 2012 20. Visual: Akua Afari/Hansen Akatti 24. Shada: Maksi
POLITIK
30. Letter to the President 33. The Passing of a President 36. The Youth Agenda
SEX & RELATIONSHIPS

63. Sex Poll
SHOT
67. Shot
FEATURE
40. An(other) African Election 46. DUST vs. the Future
ICON
68. President J.E. Atta-Mills
SOUL
57. No Pride in Prejudice
Image taken from the cover of Jerry Hansen & the Ramblers International Band, Dance with the Ramblers on DECCA Records.
DUST MAGAZINE
Advertising +233 277 828 109 Editorial +233 26 888 1111
Cover image : Seton Nicholas Editor: Kobby Graham Thanks to... Akua Afari, Hansen Akatti, Aba Ayensu, Ghana Decides, Mac-Jordan Degadjor, Kwaku David, Paapa hMensa, Sharifah Issaka, DJ Juls, Jarreth Merz, The Owusu-Ansah Brothers, Modupe Poku, Abena Sekyiamah, Fiona Wilberforce Dust Magazine is a publication of Chrysalis Publications, P.O. Box CT2838, Cantonments, Accra Corporate enquiries: enquiries@dustaccra.com Editorial enquiries: editorial@dustaccra.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@dustaccra.com The views expressed in this magazine are the views of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed by Buck Press All rights reserved. Copyright Dust Magazine 2012
NoNstop to
New York
From AccrA
editorial
One thing that sets DUST apart is our documentation of popular culture. More than just reporting on entertainment, we try to connect the dots between new trends and pass comment on how it all links to our politics: to what is important to us, who we are and who we are becoming. We do all of this in the hope that - one day in the distant future - our descendants will pick up old copies of the magazine and understand what will by then be called tradition: culture that has stood the test of time. The sad and recent passing of President John Atta-Mills has made the past few months a particularly reflective time for Ghanaians everywhere. It was tempting to make the entire issue a tribute to a man who believed in the idea of Ghana. However, there is more to mourning than looking back. We must now look forward. For our tenth issue, DUST has been inspired by the idea of sankofa. Rather than returning to the past to inform the future however, we are taking the Sankofa concept, flipping it and reversing it: visiting the future in order to inform the present. With the elections looming just over the horizon, DUST is thinking not about 2012 but rather about 2032. Twenty years from today, Ghana will turn 75 and - just like this year - we will have an election on the horizon. What will the result of the 2012 election mean for Ghanaians in 2032? Will we have achieved our dreams by then? Good planning often requires starting from where you want to get to and then mapping a path towards that destination. Welcome to 2032. Kobby Graham
SLID INDUSTRIES Ltd., No 1 Ring Road, Industrial Area South, Accra-Ghana. Tel +233 302 246821 - 0234984272 - 0261222540
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7.
www.dustaccra.com
contributors
Aba Ayensu
Entrepreneur / Career Student

We would have developed our creative economy so that it would have become a major source of socio-economic growth and innovation, contributing to cultural diversity and social inclusion. There would be robust trade within that economy and jobs for young people: a realisation of sustainable development.
MacJordan Degadjor
Social Media Strategist / Geek / TEDx Fellow
I see Ghana leading all the major economies in Africa, where jobs are readily available right after graduating and traveling overseas will be a thing of the past. Citizens will have a positive can-do spirit and always think Ghana first.
Filmmaker / Photographer
By 2032, I hope Ghana will have been able to combine economic growth with ecological conservation, improving the standard of living for all of its citizens... not just those in urban areas
Sharifah Issaka
Paapa hMensa
Musician / Student / Christian
Graphic Designer / Coffee Lover
Akua Afari Hansen Akatti
In 2032, I want Ghana to have liberal arts colleges established all over the country, with curricula relevant to Africas global position. Colleges that cater for Science heads, Music heads, Economics heads, Dance heads, ALL heads.
I want to project Ghana in the year 2032 as futureperfect...
08 . www.dustaccra.com
I believe we can set our own standards in whatever avenue... We have so much to offer the world. Its going to be a shame if no one gets to see it.
Graphic Designer / Culture Connoisseur
DJ Juls
DJ / Beatmaker
Modupe Poku
Student / Dreamer
I hope to see a thriving developed nation with a stable economy... an example on the African continent in respect to the furthering of equal and human rights for all peoples.
I hope the music industry would be big enough to embrace underground artists who have magnificent talent... and give them a chance
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freestyle
You know its election season when...

01
You start hearing the word peace used a LOT more than usual
02
Roads construction that was moving at a snails pace before suddenly speeds up
03
Traffic gets worse because one flagbearer or another has decided to hold a rally somewhere between where you are and where you need to be
04
Politicians develop beef with the Electoral Commission
05
It is impossible to turn on the TV, tune into the radio, or pick up a newspaper without seeing the face of one politician or another smiling at you like they are about to ask you for something.
Photo Credit: www.ghanareview.co.uk/
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Health
Everything you need to know to identify, treat and beat the disease.
cancer
101
By now, every Ghanaian is aware that our President, John Evans Atta Mills, struggled with cancer. It was a sad day for all of us when he lost that fight in early August this year. Most of the reports on the cause of his death centre around complications he faced due to his long fight against cancer. At DUST, we like to keep you informed, so this months health segment is dedicated to those who are keen to know what exactly cancer is and why it is such a deadly ailment.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF CANCER?

Bladder cancer Breast cancer Colon and rectal cancer Kidney (renal caner) cancer Leukemia Lung cancer Melanoma (skin cancer) Prostate cancer Thyroid cancer
WHAT IS CANCER?
Cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases. Although there are many types of cancers, all cancers start because abnormal cells grow out of control and these growths are what can cause serious illness and death.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT CANCER?

There are a number of things you can do throughout your life to prevent cancer. Try a healthy diet (eating as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible). Studies have also shown that drinking a lot of green tea or morenga (at least once a day) is a great way to prevent your cells from forming abnormalities. Also, lifestyle choices affect your chance of getting cancer, so its important not to drink or smoke, because these activities have been linked to the growth of certain cancers. Prevention is always better than cure. CS Ghana Cancer Society on +233 217 012 375 Sources: www.cancer.org and www.cancer.gov
HOW CANCER STARTS?

The body is made of up trillions of living cells. Normal body cells grow, divide and die in an orderly fashion. During the early years of a persons life, normal cells divide faster to allow the person to grow. After the person becomes an adult, most cells divide only to replace wornout or dying cells or to repair injuries. Cancer starts when cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control. Cancer cell growth is different from normal cell growth. Instead of dying, cancer cells continue to grow and form new, abnormal cells. Cancer cells can also invade (grow into) other tissues, something that normal cells cannot do. Growing out of control and invading other tissues are what makes a cell a cancer cell.
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Over Here
the Republic
Its not very often that a lounge bar in Ghana celebrates just that... being Ghanaian. So it was definately refreshing to discover The Rebublic, tucked away in Osu, with its stunning photographs of Ghana (mostly fresh after independence) and celebration of highlife and its related sub-genres. Thats something well leave you to go and discover for yourself. Its major appeal to us at DUST is its unpretentiousness, sheer funk and pocketfriendliness. SN
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Photo credit: Seton Nicholas
akasanoma
Ghana
speak
Ghana Decides developed the Ghana Speaks speech bubble to allow Ghanaians to speak their mind on the subject of Ghana: whether its politics or peace or where youd like to see Ghana in the next few years. Just cut out the template, fill it in with your thoughts and messages, take a picture of yourself holding your message (or of your message by itself if youre feeling camera shy), and upload it to the Ghana Decides Facebook page. You can also send it via Twitter by tweeting your picture to @GhanaDecides and using the #GhanaSpeaks hashtag. The group (a non-partisan NGO using social media to inform Ghanaians about the upcoming elections)will also go around the country with templates, pens, and cameras to get the thoughts of Ghanaians who arent online. They will then put the pictures together into an online video reel, so be sure to check out their pages to see if your thoughts have been shared with the country and the rest of the world... then tell your friends so that they can speak their minds as well.
Like: www.facebook.com/GhanaDecides Subscribe: www.youtube.com/GhanaDecides Follow: @GhanaDecides
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Heart
Tech
Ki d s Academy
Multi
Tucked away in East Legon, Accra, Multikids Academy is one of the first inclusive schools in subSaharan Africa to accomodate the needs, not only of the gifted and talented, but also of those with learning, language and social challenges. A not-for-profit organization, it has just under sixty pupils (between the ages of 4 and 18) studying a IGCSE/A-Level curriculum, allowing for students to receive individual attention from specialists skilled in teaching children with a wide range of special learning needs. The school works in close partnership with parents and carers (through regular meetings and a dynamic Parent Teacher Association), and encourages students to take an active role in school life, engaging in activities including writing articles for the school newsletter (an activity that DUST naturally endorses), planning and putting on events, participating in the Student Council, and much more. If you want to know more, call (0)202966871 or email Fiona at info@multikidsgh.com
electi n 2012
by MacJordan Degadjor
social media in
A lot has been written about the role of the Internet and social media networks in the recent political uprisings in Middle-East & North Africa, but although the world has been attentively watching the people in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya upsurge to claim their rights, little attention is being paid to the effects on the rest of the continent. With ever-increasing access to digital tools, Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora are using the web to farm a new vision of 21st Century Africa. Social media enables them to tell their stories, offering an alternative to mainstream media coverage and a glimpse at the renaissance now taking place on the continent. Ghanas political elections are much like a marketing campaign showdown, and the team with the best product usually sways the biggest audience/voters. In the US, President Barack Obama was described as the most successful new marketer in history for his ground-breaking use of online and social media to reach out to potential supporters in his first campaign. More than anything, that campaign showed that online and social media could no longer be ignored. In Ghana, print and electronic media are still the preferred tools of political campaign activists. According to a recent research released by Voto Mobile, 33% of Ghanaians prefer receiving messages through TV, with 45% preferring to hear their news on the radio; most likely in the form of news broadcasts.
The challenge remains that only around 970,000 Ghanaian homes actually have a TV, and using these two channels as a mouthpiece can prove costly. This leaves the gap wide open for mobile phones, which are catching up fast as the preferred method of communication for the youth between the ages of 18 - 30. Innovation in the mobile space has extended to social media. Most Ghanaians access social media sites through their phones. Effective campaigns need to deliver information to people online as a primary tool; not an afterthought. Citizen journalists and the power of their messages over social media also cannot be ignored. The bottom line is that friends trust friends, and Ghanaians across income brackets are influenced by their friends political and ethnic views. Finding the triggers to a nations touchpoints what policy matters to them, how they need to hear information and how best to get them this information is key to informing the people about their choices. Mobile integration into a campaign and establishing an interactive tool to reach people can gauge the peoples concerns. Are Ghanas various political parties are thinking of innovative ways to reach out to voters before the elections? I wonder. Mac-Jordan is an award-winning Ghanaian Blogger, Barcamp Organizer, TEDx Fellow, Social Media Strategist & a Geek with passion for Open Initiatives & African Innovation
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akua afari
The starting point for this piece was thinking about Ghanaian things that would be ancient by 2032, but also of future ideals; that I wanted to show a futuristic Ghana as an aspiration and a bearer of good things. Visually, I wanted to start with something familiar, so used the Woman Carrying the Pot as my reference for the overall image. The idea is that in 2032, the pot is more like a factory on her head which produces anything that makes commerce there and then, and it hovers in the future rather weighing down her head, but that tradition is still there. This is also why I mixed a Kente cloth print into her outfit which is based on a 2012 catwalk image, this will be vintage by then.. The cloth is Nyankroton, and had aspirational meanings that
Politik
Art does not put food on the table in the way that business, law, and medicine (for example) do. However, it has its place too: it is the expression of human imagination. Without it, we regurgitate rather than innovate (businessmen, lawyers and scientists included), and find it hard to colour in our dreams. We talk about the future, but find it difficult to picture it. With this in mind, DUST asked two artists to illustrate their visions of Ghana in 2032 and we were pleasantly surprised to receive two very different versions of our possible future.
visual
I felt fitted well with my themes. I wanted to project Ghana in year 2032 as futureperfect, and the palm trees, flying cars (old cars refurbished to now fly, in typical Ghana-style recycling) and buildings in the sky are meant to incite this optimism. I chose a woman figure also because I wanted to project the possibility that women all over Africa will, and should, begin to play bigger parts in the future of her countries and that arguably this is the secret to her development in all ways, so I was eager to show that she stands there central, while all about her, Ghana buzzes.
www.noworldwithoutpictures.com (under construction)
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hansen
I wanted to make us think about establishment. Not necessarily revolt against it but at least, think whether we are doing the right things. I personally, dont think we have the right foundations for growth. We hardly own anything in this country and we have a very westernised standard of whats cool. hey, Im here typing all of this in English. I mean, wants defines cool anyway? Who gave the standards for what cool is? I believe we can set our own standards on whatever avenue. thats where the phrase get off the slave ships, build our own pyramids plays in. the Irony is that, I borrowed that text from some American rapper. The Irony is a lot to think about. oh and we are starting to build our own pyramids! The people upfront represent the new generation thats going to. We have so much to offer the world. Its going to be a shame if no one gets to see it. Aside the fact that it makes for exciting visuals, destroying and rebuilding was the theme for this. Sort of how Kwame Nkrumah intended. Dont mind me chale. Im just defiant rebellious youth. Im going through some anarchism phase. God bless our homeland Ghana. Hansen
akatti
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www.dziandhispad.tumblr.com www.thechale.tumblr.com
Shada
Its no secret that Africans like to look good. The perception that were developing just doesnt hold when it comes to our wardrobes, and with globalisation and the migration of Africans to the four corners of the globe, the world is finally appreciating our gift for looking good. International fashion brands like Burberry and Vogue Italia, are picking up on these trends and throwing it into the global consciousness like never before. However, here at Dust, we like to go to the source: Us. Together with Ghanaian fashion house, Maksi Clothing, we put together a photo shoot to celebrate this new-found, global love of African print. To order Maksi Clothing, call +233-261-886-190 www.maksiclothing.com
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Playlist
5
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
It saddenned DUST immensely to hear that our favourite DJ & beatmaker - the mighty DJ Juls - will be leaving music behind soon. Before he bows out, we asked him what he thought were the five hottest songs coming out of Ghana right now.
SHEYGEY REASONS bY LYRICALWANZAM FT M.ANIFEST (PROD bY KWAM1) I love the beat and both raps lace the track quite well EGbEE MLI bY E.L Should be the next single off Something Else. Def got tht azonto twist to it and hook is very catchy. Should be on heavy rotation in the clubs soon AZONTO FIESTA bY SARKODIE AND APPIETUS Its my favorite song from the azonto fever right now. Sarkodies clever rhyme schemes are just incredible here and we are still trying to study Appietus Language or watever the hell hes sayin. RUMOR bY WELL WELL FT STONE Excellent track. Cos Im a hiphop head I can relate to this. Jayso laces the sample very well and the song is straight to the point and definitely a song for the ladies. Video is incredible as well. 1+1 bY J.TOWN, ICE PRINCE AND E FINE. This song will be on J.Towns album. Did u know that it was number 1 in nigeria. I dont know who well its doin in Ghana but I play it quite it often down here and people do like it.
The Jungle Book Beat Tape II will be out on 25th October, 2012
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We the People
The finest tribute we will give our late President will be the peaceful elections we will have in December. Rest in Peace, Your Excellency.
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through
passing
There is only one Ghana, and that Ghana must work in the interest of every Ghanaian.
Professor John Evans Atta-Mills
Having entertained the past three US Presidents, Ghana is very used to receiving foreign dignitaries, but never yet for as sad an occasion as the passing of a President.
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Politik
President
Distancing himself from the necessarilyrevolutionary tone of his predecessor, President Mills byword seemed to be peace; partly because of his own mild-mannered nature, but also because of the role he When the news started spilling out of our played in making Ghana the first country radios speakers, we were all reminded of amongst its peers to witness transfer of a saying to do with the extreme sadness power to an opposition party - a step forward of a parent outliving their child. Ghana (and a good look) for the entire continent. has birthed many children, all of whom one hopes she will outlive. Nevertheless, Subsequently dubbed Asomdwehene (Akan the entire country was united if not in for King of Peace), his presidential style saw shock, then at least in sadness at the him taking his time to get things done right. particularly grim passing of this native son. Some however argued that his administration was simply too slow. To those who were not The late President had been plagued by his biggest fans, Mills relationship within rumours surrounding his health for years, the NDC threw up a particular paradox: especially during the 2008 elections. He whatever you had to say about the people lost a drastic amount of weight at the time, surrounding him, he was regarded at the prompting the Opposition to claim that he centre of it all as a good man. It was a was a dying man, literally unfit to lead the characteristic that would unite everyone country. This dying man would however go friends and foes alike in mourning him. In on to beat them, winning the Presidency back fact, more than stepping into town to see so for his party, yet claiming that he would be a many people dressed in the traditional red father to all in the pursuit of a Better Ghana. and black in the days after his passing; more Still, rumours over the state of his health than hearing the sound of the flute emerging haunted him until they became some kind of from radios and televisions, this was the self-fulfilling prophecy. Mere weeks before defining characteristic of Ghanas mourning his passing, he was forced to dance before of Mills: some mourned the politician. the media to dispel rumours that a recent trip to America had been health-related. Everybody mourned the man. In some as-yet unquantifiable manner, it may have changed the face of Ghanaian politics forever. Nevertheless, 24th July 2012 will go down as a terribly dark day in our history. KG
the passing of a
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Politik
youth
Kofi Annan
the agenda
By Modupe Poku
when we need to know about something, we go to the experts, but we tend to forget that when we want to know about youth and what they feel and what they want, that we should talk to them...
One of the biggest issues of healthcare in Ghana is our lack of trained and qualified healthcare professionals here; another, our lack of medical equipment. Healthcare is a youth concern: we are the biggest group within Ghanas workforce. Besides the health concerns shared by all Ghanaians, we fall ill and our bodies break down. We need better delivery of public health programs and disease prevention. Training of medical professionals must improve, especially the training of those of us who want to be medical professionals. The Ministry of Health should be held accountable for the ineffectiveness of the healthcare system as a way to force necessary improvements. Hopefully, the introduction of the National Healthcare Insurance Scheme should bring drastic improvement in the lives of Ghanaians.
According to the African Union, youth refers to every person between the ages of 15 and 35 years. This group is the largest age group on the continent. Yet when it comes to political discussions in Ghana, they are often excluded. Children it is said - should be seen and not heard. As such, Ghanaian youth constantly fight institutionalized prejudice emphasizing their relative lack of expertise and experience. This is a problem. Not only is it a problem because it leaves a large part of the population (more than half, in fact) unspoken for, but it is in fact a political right for the youth to participate: through many General Assembly resolutions, the United Nations has mandated youth participation in the electoral process, believing it promotes better policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. So what exactly do Ghanas youth want from government? Certainly not empty promises. We want change. As such, we believe that certain sectors need to be discussed with the youth in mind.
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Healthcare
Education
This is the obvious one and usually the only section (besides employment) where politicians pay us any lip service at all. Ghanas public education system is substandard with a lack of properly trained teachers, decent school facilities and resources having become the norm and many children simply falling through the cracks in the school system. Ghana has a literacy rate of 67.3%, which could be improved immensely if more than 5.4% of our GDP was spent on education. Our secondary education system seems to suffer the most, with students being taught what to think instead of how to think for ourselves. As a result, we enter the universities (often not on merit) and struggle to meet (much less maintain) the high academic standard required in tertiary institutions. Some tertiary institutions, that is. Some (perhaps struggling under the sheer numbers of students) do little to challenge students, and fail to given us chances to be creative, analytical or take initiatives. We arrive in the job market unemployable by companies who wonder exactly what it is that we were taught given the paradox of our high degrees yet little-to-low understanding of Ghanas fast-moving economy. The poor value of public education in Ghana has led to parents who can afford it paying huge amounts of money to have their children educated in private schools (or abroad) but what about everyone else? If more attention is paid towards our education, the future of Ghana would be a lot more reassuring.
Infrastructure
Employment & Increased business Opportunities

Youth unemployment in Ghana is at an all time high. Students graduating from the tertiary institutions can look forward to prolonged unemployment. We aspire towards the stability of jobs in the formal sector but we are forced to compromise and find other means to be able to feed ourselves. When we end up wandering the streets of Accra unable to find jobs, we suffer the indignity of having those who have done everything to frustrate our attempts to find work tell us that we are lazy and incompetent. These are just a few of the issues the political candidates must address with the youth in mind. Do not assume we do not think about serious issues: ask us what we want and we will tell you. If you fail to do so however, please do so realizing that we are slowly but steadily finding our political voice. The day we do, dont be surprised to find yourself sitting next to us, looking for employment.
the technical structures that support a society and hold our country together. Roads, water supply, sewers, telecommunications, electrical grids... We need the Ministry of Roads and Highways to properly plan, construct and map our roads, and give the jobs to contractors who are qualified and just not affiliated with the ruling party. The government has to make a conscious effort to improve the availability of clean water to the masses. Why should people who pay for electricity be without power for on average two days in the week? Any politician who doubts that these are youth concerns should go onto Twitter and pay attention to the sheer volume of insults that are daily rained down upon ECG. The same goes for the various telecommunication networks.
Nepotism & Corruption

It has become the accepted norm for Ghanaians who hold government positions to fill other government jobs with members of their family. This is great for young people related to those families: its not so good for the rest of us though. It probably happens everywhere in the world. Thats not a good enough excuse though. Young people trying to gain job based on merit and accomplishment daily suffer the consequences of the propagation of such mediocrity. Those who hold government jobs must be forced to uphold professional and ethical standards.
Feature
African Election
Ghana at the time.
an(other)
In the aftermath of our last general election, a feature film emerged from Ghana that would later win several international awards and accolades, making Official Selection at the internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival, and winning Best Documentary at the African Movie Awards. An African Election skilfully told the inside story of the 2008 election, capturing the full range of emotions that defined
The project is the brainchild of director, Jarreth Merz. Besides shooting films and documentaries both freelance and for his own film company, Jarreth is also an accomplished actor who has starred in the hit US TV show ER and who portrayed Simon of Cyrene in Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ. Born in Switzerland, he has roots in Germany and Nigeria, but spent his formative years between Kumasi and Accra. An African Election came about after Jarreth had been away from Ghana for 28 years: I was searching for parts of my being and identity. I ended up discussing the idea with my Dad. It was something that had never been done as a feature documentary... really going behind the scenes. I was very passionate about discovering something beyond the regular news.
Jarreth is an advocate for Africa telling its own stories, particularly through the development of its own news network: We are not everywhere. We cannot just borrow blurbs from an agency and retweet or recycle them. The present news process is disrespectful to the complexities of storytelling and often creates caricatures. Rules are there to be broken, but at what price? An African Election is - in part his attempt to show how it can be done. However, getting funding for his idea was a problem: No one wanted to see a film about an election in Ghana. They would say, Ghana is stable. Why
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not Zimbabwe or Ivory Coast? Things go wrong there. Theres more action. I even heard this from countries and agencies that claim to support democracy. I said Im not interested in that. Jarreth eventually raised his own money and assembled a team of ten people, including cameramen and drivers, who would move in groups of three to five. Mirroring the rising sense of tension in the country, there was a moment or two during filming that was dangerous enough for the crew to refuse to film, leaving Jarreth alone with a film camera in the midst of a riot. Watching the final product, it however feels as though the team were everywhere at once: from party headquarters to the Electoral Commission and even in the homes, cars and dressing rooms of the likes of former President Rawlings. One cannot watch the film without wondering how Jarreth was able to get that much access. He says that he milked his family connections for everything they were worth: They knew my dad very well. A lot of them knew me as a child. It still took a lot of persistence. I just kept bugging and bugging them. I took no for answer at first, but then I would return. I explained that I wasnt there to take advantage of them and do horrible stories on them. I assured them that I would treat them with the respect with which I would
they had not observed while filming. The entire editing process took a year, during which Jarreth was surprised to find that people still did not believe in the project. In that time, he shot The Soul of Asante: a documentary for Otumfuos tenth anniversary on behalf of The Africa Channel. All the money he made from it went straight back into An African Election. The final product is a wellcomposed, insightful education in Ghanaian politics that tellstheviewerastoryofhope,uncertainty,despondence, and eventual relief immediately recognizable to anyone who was in Ghana at the time. While some argue that it ultimately tells too much of one side of the story, it serves as a lesson to Ghanaian politicians of all political parties of the importance of access, documentation and media management (rather than control). In DUSTs humble opinion, the feature should be required viewing for every Ghanaian. I hope that people start to see that it was more complex than just a BBC or CNN newsflash. Ghana is really an extremely developed country in some senses. This election was very complex but it was handled very well by some very competent people. In fact, he says his mostmemorablemomentsoffilmingcamefrommeeting people with nothing who were still passionate about Ghana: There was a passion and level of knowledge
He was also deeply impressed by young Ghanaians: I found this creative element I completely underestimated. The early 70s was the height of arts and music in Ghana. Coming back in 2008, I felt there was something cooking in street art, music, film... theres a whole cultural revolution happening. Its very sophisticated. I found myself wondering where have I been? According to Jarreth, this revolution will have an impact on the political growth of the country and cannot be underplayed: Theinspirationandsparkalwayscomes from arts and culture. The downfall of the Czar started with a cultural revolution. Many young people are unemployed and see no future. They inherited their parents depression. If you say there will be a free Benz for everyone, they will show support but that wont work. We have to inspire people. There are young voices out there that need to be heard. It will be interesting if people say they dont want to be the next President but rather the next electoral commissioner. Today, An African Election is a talking point for the European Union, the UNDP, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center and right here in Accra at Accra[Dot]Alts Talk Party. It is being used to train electoral observers and deals have been struck for the feature to be aired in several
using it to raise awareness about the responsibility not of politicians but of every Ghanaian in the election: We will travel by bus with a mobile cinema screen and projector from town to town through all ten regions, screening it to different communities. After each screening, we will open a reflective dialogue about what happened in 2008 and look ahead to what 2012 will be like; reflective, because promises were made... you dont just go out there and make promises you cant fulfil. He acknowledges those who have stopped believing in the political process: Maybe we need a Democracy Clinic where you can be treated for democracy fatigue: a viral infection where you dont believe anything that is happening anymore and that change comes about with a thumb print. Life doesnt really change. Elections can work if used properly. Jarreth will have his hands full for awhile. He says An African Election is the first in a trilogy. This year, he plans on telling a story that is more intimate and character driven. Seeing the election through one or two peoples eyes.By the time he finishes in 2016, he believes that there will be a few political dinosaurs who will be extinct: an era is coming to an end. This era was mostly defined by the Cold War. We have been repeating a lot of mistakesfromthattime.GDPeconomics is not going to change our world for the better. Countries find themselves in chaos after being liberated... it just does not work.
treat myself. There was that honesty from the get-go. But I told them in advance that they would not get to vet what would end up in the final film. In the end, Jarreths team found themselves with 228 hours of footage, with editing throwing up a lot that
which just blew me away. It wasnt that the elections were perfect, but people said that the results were good enough for us to accept them. They dont have to be perfect. They are good enough. Lets move on. I thought that was genius.
Western countries. But what about over here? Jarreth laughs, I hear its been seen by a lot of people illegally. Nevertheless, he has a grand plan for showing the film in Ghana. He calls it, A Political Safari and he plans on
Jarreth Merz
So which way for the future? More women in government... being leaders. There will be the same quarrelsbetweenmenandwomen. But families should become the nucleus of society again. Not just by blood but by philosophy and thought. I hope Africa (especially Ghana) will be able to rescue declining Western cultures. It will be about what we can learn from the West and what they also learn from us. A lot of that can be fed by stories from Africa but it needs this identity and cultural awareness.
After 2016, the debate will be over natural resources and new ways of delivering them. New discoveries that will lead us into new eras. All we hear so far is nothing new. Elections especially in US is like gladiatorial sport in an arena. Hopefully, we will be looking for something deeper. The answer is not outside: it is within us. As human beings, we must start treating each other as being divine. KG
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Feature
vs
the future
Where do you see Ghana in the year 2032?

The words Ghana is booming will apply both to our macroeconomic state and the state of our pockets. When Ghana is 75, that pride we have in being a nation of firsts will seep into our sense of self. We will value ourselves. Not just tradition, but our culture: past, present and future. You will see it in little things, like the banning of bleach, and films in which we no longer treat our ancestors like they knew nothing. We will tell our stories - our own truth - so well that anyone elses versions will sound laughable. Our young will learn not to blindly accept, but to think; to challenge the status quo... and win.
Kobby Graham, Editor
Photo credit: Ebenezer Gwumah
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photo editor
Seton Nicholas
designer
For a while Ghana has been described as creatively pregnant. It is my hope that by 2032 we would have started to see the fruits of its labors permeating through every facet of our individual and collective lives. This will facilitate inspired solutions to some socio-political, and in matters of identity and pride as a whole. A truly one Ghana that makes choices for leadership based on reform and policy and not on ethnic ties, nepotism or to settle old scores.
Photo Credit: Seton Nicholas
Ghanyobi
In 20 years, the youth will be more empowered: I see 25 year olds in government. In 20 years, Girl Power will be at a record high: 48 . www.dustaccra.com I see a female ex vice-president. In 2032, #SocialMedia will become a necessity: I see official ID cards having @Twitter handles and facebook IDs
Photo Credit: Self Portrait
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of Africas particular challenges, economic,
Jason Nicco-Annan
associate editor
For a long time, the countrys progress has been bordered by politics and stifled by party poli-tricks. I pray that in 2032, things like free healthcare, education, water,etc will be a reality. A must. Thats why theyre called basic after all, right...?
Eli Tetteh
editor at large
I look forward to an intellectually matured populace; one guided less by what has always been done and instead by what ought to be done. I look forward to our rapidly increasing wealth being used to empower many rather than enrich a handful -- lets put our cedis to better use than fancy SUVs and gold-plated bathroom fixtures. And, finally, I look forward to a more globally aware youth, one that is open to the opportunities the world has made available and enthused about mining the best from other cultures.
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Lawrence Yeboah
marketing executive
For the past 55 years, Ghana has grown in education, politics, economics and in spirit. ICT is on another level all together, for which we thank God. In twenty years time, education will be on a different level. ICT especially will dominate the Job market. Everybody now has at least some ICT knowledge. For that alone, I think ICT will be different in Ghana in the next 20 years.
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah

columnist
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The question of whether Ghana will ever have a woman President would have been long answered with a resounding yes!
Photo Credit: Yinka
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publisher
In 2032, Ghana will be the Ghana of my dreams. A place of opportunity, cultural diversity and tolerance, and the hub of African entrepreneurism. It will be a place of decentralisation, education and emancipation. No longer will Ghanaians wonder about that new Ghana because we will be the new Ghana - the Ghana where the young are no longer ignored or dismissed. Africa will look to us for the latest trends and aspirational dreams. The change has already begun and we all must play our part.
in prejudice
A little while ago, I saw a striking status update on Facebook that read If you love God,youwontlistentocircular music. A lot of nice things can be said about this post, really.
By Paapa hMensah
Crystal Svanikier
Soul
no pride
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Its bold in the way it presents a criterion for loving God, carries a seemingly solid sense of certainty, and is pleasantly brief. But a lot more honest things, too, can be said about this post. I take that back. Only one honest thing can be said about it: its misguided. I wanted to use the word wrong instead of misguided but if I did, I wouldnt have had anything to describe the spelling of secular as circular. Its a mistake Ive seen made over and over again. I think that not knowing the correct spelling of a word shows how very little you actually know about what it describes. If Im not mistaken, theres a word for having a strong opinion about something you know very little about: prejudice. To say something is secular, youre talking aboutanythingthatsworldly,orwithnothing inherently religious about it. Several things that religious and non-religious people engagewitheverydayaresecular:education systems, most governments, military, etc. Secular music is that which isnt inherently religious. It could be war songs, military cadences for training, film music, the happy birthday song, TV/radio jingles, Nokias default ringtone, etc. The person who posted that status update quite probably didnt spend time thoroughly thinking about this before posting it. He unknowingly listens to a lot of circular music and so by his own prejudiced yardstick, he doesnt love God. Sometimes though, people with this opinion may be coming from a past where some secular music used to be the source of their moral corruption. Often, people who make suchcommentsusuallyrefertohip-hop,R&B and any kind of popular music. Theres no
doubt that such genres have a reputation for glorifyingprofanityandimmorality.Perhaps, the lyrics in the music they listened to were big players in their sin before they found God so they wish to stay as far away from it as possible. Thats understandable and with good reason. But notice I said the lyrics in the music. 808 drums and hard-synth pads are not inherently religious or secular, moral or immoral. Its the lyrics they carry that may be. I listen to secular music with positive, thoughtful and inspiring lyrics... and I love God. I cant stand music with shallow, profane or mindless lyrics. I avoid anything with the potential to corrupt my thoughts and desires, whether its in music, places, visual art, poetry, movies, prose, people, etc. I also listen to religious music, but not just any kind. The fact that a song is labeled as religiousdoesntautomaticallymakeitgood for me to listen to. Ive heard religious songs with lyrics no deeper than a puddle of rain. This here is more of an attack on prejudice than it is an attack on the status update. Prejudice says, Ill form my opinion about you, judging you without getting to know you. Prejudice is a lazy mans substitute for thinking/researching and as far as Im concerned, laziness isnt a biblical ethic. Take absolutely no pride in prejudice. Download Paapas album, Solar, by visiting http://bit.ly/NqcmIm
Sound
Belief is a funny thing. At its best, it imbues a sense of awe for the universe and its wonders, both seen and unseen. At its worst, however, belief can be a means of manipulation or an excuse which the ignorant offer in an attempt to avoid meaningful self-examination. And when the topic on hand concerns love and sexuality, the darkened side of belief is, more often than not, on full display. If youve followed the world of popular music with even a modicum of enthusiasm lately, you will have heard of Christopher Frank Ocean, the silky-voiced crooner who recently let the world in on a closely-held secret of his: that hes queer. Not gay, mind you. Not bisexual either. In a meticulously worded letter posted to his Tumblr account, Frank actually said nothing at all about sex. Instead, he spoke of love: It was my first love. It changed my life. Why would one mention Franks disclosure in the context of a discussion on belief? Well, Frank is part of a new wave of innovative rhythm and blues which has swept the world, seizing the imagination of many a Ghanaian music enthusiast. When news of Oceans revelation hit the interwebs, reactions were both polarized and telling. Some shrugged with an indifference born of faux-enlightenment: It doesnt matter to me, they tweeted, proudly apathetic and indifferent. Others recoiled in more obvious revulsion, disappointed their golden child was now somehow tainted.
badReligion
While revisionist historians like to peg the influx of queer folk as some sort of cultural epidemic that inflamed the Ghanaian body politic after we encountered Western spores, the truth is far simpler. Gay clubs are peppered throughout Accra. Queer socialites traverse the lively night life of the city with the rest of us. Just about every graduate of the Ghanaian secondary school system has a story to tell of a non-heterosexual experience of their own or that of a classmate. What more evidence do we need in order to acknowledge that Ghanaians come in all shapes, sizes, and yes, sexual orientations? And we arent the only ones in flux. Across the globe, people are rejecting heteronormative standards and redefining their understanding of what is customary or normal -- normal sex, normal love, normal relationships. What was incredible about Franks disclosure is that it compelled a cross-section of Ghanaians to interrogate their beliefs about unconventional sexual orientations. The terrifying -- yet, in the same breath, tremendous -- thing about the internet and our currently celebrity obsessed culture is that today, we can learn an utter strangers most intimate secrets. And, God willing, those realities can actually shape us. In an ideal world, our youth would be engaged in an ongoing process of introspection, examining their values and beliefs without prompting. In reality, however, cultural shifts require catalysts, and spiritual shifts, even more so. So call me naive, but like the good Dr. King (himself a purveyor of spirituality of the empathetic kind), I find myself also harbouring a dream: that one day Ghanaian youth will entertain views on life, love and sexuality which were not simply those passed down by their elders; that one day, the mark of a spiritual individual will be one who treats others the way their creator might; that one day, empathy and understanding would take the place of bigotry and knee-jerk judgment. And, yes, that perhaps in the not so distant future, it wont take a chart-topping R&B singers honesty to remind us that every human being deserves to be embraced and included. Perhaps in that future, the very same grace we doled out so generously to Frank will be shared with Kwame or Dela or Naa who have been living silently among us all this while.
See, here in Ghana, spiritual pedigree runs like a gurgling brook in our veins. Our ancestors lived with a deep sense of the sacred, and they managed this without crossing over into a judgmental or sanctimonious faith. When knowledge of Christianity reached our shores, some indubitably clasped it in the spirit of glassy-eyed obeisance. Others, however, found genuine meaning in the call to gratitude and self-sacrifice that is intrinsic to the Christian belief system. Today, however, much of the spirituality claimed by Ghanas populace is of a darker, more insidious variety. Rather than inspiring a profound gratitude for a benevolent higher power and motivating individuals to treat their fellow human being with a deepened sense of reverence and service, belief has become a locus for shallow, self-serving behaviour. Rarely is this more glaring than in our cultures populist reaction to the concept of queer sexuality.
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By Eli Tetteh
Sex & Relationships
poll
Onourwaybackfromattending OpenForum in Cape Town, South Africa, Crystal (our publisher) and Nana Darkoa (whopensourAdventuresFrom. com section) came across an interesting poll in a popular Western magazine. The poll was around sex and made some bold assertions about what men and women thought and did in and out of the bedroom. The problem was that many of the results ran counter to CrystalandNanasperceptions of what the sexual attitudes are of African men and women. As a result, they ran a poll on the DUST website (www.dustaccra.com) for
sex
men and one for women on AdventuresFrom. com to gauge the truth about African sexual attitudes. After whipping up interest on Facebook and Twitter, several people took part in the poll and since then everyone has been chasing us down for the results. So here they are. Please make sure to visit www.adventuresfrom.com to find out what the women had to say! http://svy.mk/RbVJAA
Whats the biggest mistake a woman can make in bed?
20.4%
5.1%
not wanting to be adventurous
40.8%
not telling you what she likes/doesnt like
33.7%
Answered Question : 98 Skipped Question : 9
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being too body-conscious
being too forward
45.3%
doggy-style
woman on top
40.4%
2.1%
standing
missionary
17.9%
59.6%
My job
Whats your favourite sex position ?
What would you rather lose? Your job or your relationship?

My relationship
34.7%
31.8%
19.4%
Would you ever date a friends ex? ......
Do you like anal sex?
80.6%
68.2%
Would you pay for sex?
I tried it once but didnt like it
4.8%
Ive not tried it before
Yes
27.6%
14.3% 35.2%
No
YES
NO
YES
NO
18.1%
Im curious
SX
Answered Question : 88 Skipped Question : 19 Answered Question : 103 Skipped Question : 4
That I had a better job than I did
0%
That I was single
That I had more money than I had
2.9%
18.3%
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38.5%
40.4%
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None
That I care about her more than I did
YES
19.4%
Which of these lies have you told to get a woman into bed?
If a girl had sex with you on the first date, would you hold it against her?
80.6%
NO
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Vagina 2.9% Flirting Breasts
2.9%
45.2%
Kissing
Having sex with someone else
31.1%
Stomach1-9%
5.8%
Buttocks
15.4%
Oral sex 2.9%
What, in your opinion, counts as cheating?
Face
1-9% 1-9%
30.8%
Sexting 1.0%
When youre getting busy with a woman and her clothes come off, what part of her body do you enjoy looking at the most?
Legs
All of the above without my informed consent None of 2.9% the above
53.4%
All of her (I dont focus on any particular area)
Shot
Photo Credit: Information Services Department
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Icon
the website
Dont forget to check out the DUST website for the most compelling content on Accra, Ghana, and Africa!
www.dustaccra.com
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As a people, our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to the ideals that unite rather than divide us and have attached ourselves to a common sense purpose... We must reflect on the legacies that our forebears bequeathed to us; consider what we have added to that legacy, and commit ourselves to leaving a solid legacy for the generations after us
Professor John Evans Atta-Mills
SVANI LIMITED
LET THE COMPETITION BEWARE
Ground oor, Crystal Plaza building, Community 16, Sakumono, Tema Tel: 233-22-404063 Fax: 233-21-7012128
MUSCLE OTHER CARS INTO SUBMISSION.

WITH THE MIGHTY, MUSCULAR SCORPIO.
Let the competition beware

Dust (September 2012)

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FREE MAGAZINE

24 July, 2012 R.I.P

SEX & RELATIONSHIPS

Entrepreneur / Career Student

Musician / Student / Christian

Graphic Designer / Coffee Lover

Akua Afari Hansen Akatti

I want to project Ghana in the year 2032 as futureperfect...

Graphic Designer / Culture Connoisseur

You know its election season when...

Photo Credit: www.ghanareview.co.uk/

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF CANCER?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT CANCER?

HOW CANCER STARTS?

Photo credit: Seton Nicholas

Like: www.facebook.com/GhanaDecides Subscribe: www.youtube.com/GhanaDecides Follow: @GhanaDecides

www.noworldwithoutpictures.com (under construction)

Employment & Increased business Opportunities

Nepotism & Corruption

Where do you see Ghana in the year 2032?

Kobby Graham, Editor

Photo credit: Ebenezer Gwumah

of Africas particular challenges, economic,

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah

Sex & Relationships

Whats the biggest mistake a woman can make in bed?

not wanting to be adventurous

not telling you what she likes/doesnt like

being too body-conscious

being too forward

Whats your favourite sex position ?

What would you rather lose? Your job or your relationship?

Answered Question : 95 Skipped Question : 12

Would you ever date a friends ex? ......

Do you like anal sex?

Would you pay for sex?

I tried it once but didnt like it

Answered Question : 104 Skipped Question : 3

Answered Question : 105 Skipped Question : 2

That I had a better job than I did

That I was single

That I had more money than I had

Answered Question : 103 Skipped Question : 4

That I care about her more than I did

Vagina 2.9% Flirting Breasts

Having sex with someone else

Oral sex 2.9%

Answered Question : 103 Skipped Question : 4

What, in your opinion, counts as cheating?

Answered Question : 104 Skipped Question : 3

All of her (I dont focus on any particular area)

MUSCLE OTHER CARS INTO SUBMISSION.

Let the competition beware

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