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.
“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.
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.
