Ok first off, let me start with a Happy Independence Day Ghana!

There are many reasons that I’m proud to be Ghanaian and am constantly trying to envelop people into the fam. For this Giving Me Ghana Vim post I wanted to list the top 5 vetted and emerging celebrities of Ghanaian descent who’ve helped reshape my personal conversations around citizenship and identity when it comes to nationalism. I never buckled when kids were out here trying to fling the proverbial “African booty scratcher” my way [I very logically and calmly explained that it wasn’t insulting if it didn’t make any damn sense], or later when folks would quote Coming to America to me out of context [I mean, I got the references because that movie was seminal and funny AF, but still, unprovoked quotes will get you the side-eye]. Yet, even back then it was still hard to explain all the ways I was proud to be Ghanaian because to be seen as African or “other” made you the butt of the joke rather than cool. I knew then and still do know my worth, but over the last few years it’s just been nice to see others representing and stunning the green/red/yellow and black stars with pride.

The following “honourable members” and honourable mentions have skillfully used media/social media to develop their respective crafts while never shying away from their Ghanaian heritage. Obviously I want all black folk to shine but whenever there’s a Ghanaian at the helm of something dope the brightness warms my heart a little bit more. This doesn’t mean I don’t also have a critical eye on what it means to build and maintain a nation or the idea of nationhood; but I also believe that people are boundless and not easily contained within borders. So what is a nation if not made up of people? Nothing wrong with celebrating our accomplishments, together.

Photo credit: image still from Black Earth Rising on Netflix

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel’s credits over the last 5 years have been as insane as her amazingly funny character on Netflix’s Chewing Gum (2015-2017). Like a millennial Steve Urkel, even Tracey’s most cringe worthy moments held a comforting first generation pathos. Subsequent projects such as the Nosedive episode of Black Mirror, Black Earth Rising, and Been So Long have not only filled up my Netflix queue but led to a blink-and-you-might-miss-it cameo in Star Wars The Last Jedi [ my sister and I squealed in the theater]. More than just a cameo, Michaela is an actress, screenwriter, singer, songwriter, poet and playwright; and I can’t wait to see what she does next. Her since-deleted instagram was popping and full of insights into her wandering mind and her empowering perspectives on life, acting, love, work, fitness, and Ghana. You can follow her on twitter though @MichaelaCoel.

Kofi Siriboe

Kofi Siriboe aka Siribae stole hearts in Queen Sugar as younger brother Ralph and has been honing his craft as an actor and model since his debut. But as Malik in 2017’s Girl’s Trip he had every Aunty with high-blood pressure catching feelings and rethinking their relationship to grapefruit. Kofi’s instagram feed (@kofisiriboe) is full of great photography, black beauty, and a love of you guessed it: Mama Ghana. Along with his mother and brothers (also actors), Kofi reps Ghana kind of hard, since their first trip as a family to the country only a few years ago.

Ebaby Kobby

Ebaby Kobby, has been making youtube videos and Instagram shorts for close to 7 years now, touring all over the country and the world to bring laughter beyond the diaspora. Ebaby’s comedy brings refreshing insight into the cultural and generational clashes between African parents and their millennial/gen Z progeny. Dressing up as “Martha” and her American offspring, Ebaby’s brand of feminine pantomime adds to a long and rich black comedic history. His Instagram (@ebabykobby) is full of his exploits in Ghana and beyond, and checking in on his feed will often liven up a dreary day.

Wode Maya

WodeMaya aka Mr. Ghana Baby is anunofficial cultural ambassador to China and East Asia. Sometimes described as controversial, Wode Maya basically uses humor to disarm people on the streets of various Asian cities to share first impressions and misconceptions about Africa. The seemingly meteoric growth of Africa’s economic ties to China for infrastructure and trade mean that Wode Maya’s short videos provide a small bridge between various cultures. You can find his videos about learning how to speak Mandarin, travelling through Asia and also through the African continent, and updates on his “Africa to the World” project on his Youtube channel (Wode Maya) or his Instagram( @mrghanababy).

Nicole Amartefio and The Actresses of An African City

Photo Image: An African City poster on IMDB

Sneakily this isn’t just one person, but a whole squad. An African City is the brainchild of producer Nicole Amartefio and stars Maame Yaa Boafo, Nana Mensah, Esosa Edosomwan, Maame Adjei and Marie Humbert as single women in Accra dealing with dating, work/life balance, and diaspora expectations of what it’s like to move back to An African city. I have so much to say about this series, from the clothes to the characters but will save it for another post. If you haven’t seen it, the first season is available on YouTube. Whether out and about in Accra, NYC, or beyond—from personal fangirl experience—they seem approachable yet also otherworldly.

Photo credit: Selasi’s twitter account @selasigb

Honorable Mentions

Selasi Gbormittah from season 7 of the Great British Bake Off and Prince Cofie Owusu whose take-out food venture, “Trap Kitchen” was featured on season one of Million Pound Menu. who helped elevate the image of men and Ghanaian men in particular by taking up roles that old school Ghanaians might feel play against gender norms #realmenbake #realmeninthekitchen

~ Happy Birthday Ghana

~Ohemaa Serwaa

Ghana Vim: Celebrities