Introducing AR-Resident Ato Kwamina Hasford (Oteanankanduro)

Ato Kwamina Hasford, Oteanankanduro

Artists at Risk’s (AR) resident artist Ato Kwamina Hasford, Oteanankanduro, is a multidisciplinary artist from Ghana. His artistic journey began as a storyteller, and has evolved to encompass titles such as queer activist, dramatist, director, filmmaker, music producer, and performing artist.

Ato Kwamina Hasford, Oteanankanduro

 

“My collaboration with Artists at Risk’s residency is a plea for safety and a call for solidarity from the diaspora and beyond to protest homophobia everywhere.” Oteanankanduro’s current AR-residency project in Helsinki focuses on rallying support against Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which endangers queer lives. He also calls for solidarity and protest against homophobia everywhere. Oteanankanduro believes that art is not only a tool for entertainment but also an opportunity for positive activism.

 

 

 

Ato Kwamina Hasford, Oteanankanduro

 

Oteanankanduro’s ongoing project, Nwomkoro, focuses on the struggles of queer folk genre artists in Ghana. Inspired by female-led folk music and lore, the project blends various melodies into a single rhythm, themed “I matter because you do.” Through music, theatre, film, dance, and poetry, Oteanankanduro challenges societal norms and empowers queer voices. Currently, he is also working on a short music film for his latest album, Nkyinkyim.

Oteanankanduro is performing on Wednesday 14 August at the UrbanApa x Stoa festival in Helsinki at Stoa’s Music Hall. On 13 September, he will participate in Lahden Runomaraton for an evening of poetry and discussion.