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OPENSPACE

#OPENSPACE is a pro-African platform and event series for thinkers, business professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs. Through safe spaces created in diverse locations across different cities worldwide, we are a growing community for peer learning, intelligent conversation, networking and collaboration on different aspects of our socio-economic world.

#OPENSPACE has been organised in partnership with Impact Hub, the MEST Incubator, Lancaster University, Zoom, Foundervine, 8 Volta Workspaces and British Council Ghana. In under a year, #OPENSPACE has held 15 events, trained and coached over 1000 people and grown a Community of 700 people.

Our workshops, huddles and experiences have focused on diverse topics such as: ‘Dissecting the Ghanaian Work Ethic’, ‘Setting Up A Business in Africa - The Diasporan Perspective’, ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’ and ‘Maximising the Economic Benefit of Africa’s New Dominance in Pop Culture’.

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Topics

Openspace Festival of Conversations

Openspace ended the year with a consolidation of 5 amazing conversations pooling community members & supporters from around the world to join the conversations via virtual means. The event was a hybrid of physical and virtual activities aired live online in a similar fashion to a well-produced webinar or TV show moderated by well acclaimed speakers. Content was seamlessly shared while participants contributed live into the conversation while it was broadcasted globally.

The event was crowned by a hybrid (physical/virtual) concert & networking session hosted by our partners Moonlight Cafe which was a careful blend of a live band, acoustic music, spoken word & stand-up comedy sessions geared to thrill our global audiences as we celebrate African artistry & culture.
Popular Ghanaian Culture As A Clever Branding Tool

Branding has been roaring in Ghana over the last few years; and the Year of Return marks no better time to have an extensive conversation on “Popular Ghanaian Culture As A Clever Branding Tool’. Our #Workshop in partnership with the Stanbic Bank Incubator (#SBIncubator) was led by branding expert, Samuelson Appau. His delivery was eye-opening; leading us through the branding journeys of Kalyppo, Fiesta Condoms, This Way Chocolate Drink & Despite Media - all the while, unpacking their use of cultural norms, beliefs and values! In an exciting practical simulation, our expert asked the entrepreneurs to connect a brand to a cultural topic: Woodin & Gender Equality, Samsung & ‘Chale’, Melcom & Trotro, Kasapreko & Jollof, and Ashesi University & Church. The business ideas, branding & marketing directions birthed from this exercise were mind-blowing!
Ageism in the Working World: The Ghanaian Perspective

By all opinions present at this #Huddle, it is clear that age discrimination is present in our Ghanaian work culture! The interesting factor drawn out at our #Huddle with Foundervine, is that our education system, both formal and informal, contributes greatly to this type of discrimination. Our community agreed that Ageism is not unique to Ghanaian or African cultures, however how it plays out in the transition from years in academia, to the world of employment creates a disconnect between the younger and older generation. The younger generation present felt that they were often shunned & punished for rising above the norm, and excelling at their age. The older generation felt millenials are ‘oh so entitled’, and consequently fail to tap into the excess of knowledge & experience of the older generation because we underestimate their technological know-how & ability to have evolved with our digital age! Needless to say “Ageism In The Working World: The Ghanaian Perspective” had everyone charged!
Unravelling Entrepreneurship in Africa

We continue 2019’s #OPENSPACE Entrepreneurship Huddle series with TRIBVL AFRICA presenting “Unravelling Entrepreneurship in Africa”. Join us over Cocktails, a Live Band (MADE MUSIC Africa) and your favourite DJs whilst you chat with some of Ghana’s Leading Young Entrepreneurs about Entrepreneurship in Ghana & Africa. It’s an Open Invitation to 100s of business professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs to learn, network, & make long-lasting collaborative relationships! Following the Panel Discussion will be the Afrocentric Cocktail Hour we all need this weekend!
A Candid Conversation with Sydney Sam

Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree, Sydney Sam (Brand Strategist & Speaker), Founder & CEO of Workspace and Founder of #OPENSPACE led an intimate conversation for Entrepreneurs, Corporate Professionals & Creatives (local & from the Diaspora) on ‘Doing Life & Entrepreneurship in Ghana’ in August. Seated in the warmly lit Vine Lounge, with open and ambitious minds, Sydney reminded his peers that ‘We are a generation of Impact. He lent his branding expertise to the #OPENSPACE Community; highlighting, amongst other things, that even where our businesses are not intended to be global, we must still compete with global brands in our immediate countries. His advice on employing the barter system where difficulty is encountered with financial funding, is one we’re sure stuck with each and everyone present - the nods and applause said it all.
The Business in African Print & Culture

The maiden Wax Print Festival 2019 applauded and celebrated African ingenuity, in Accra at the Untamed Empire! The 3-day celebration of African Print & Textiles with fashion vendors, exhibitions, food, music performances, film and panel discussions highlighted the diversity of African talent, creativity and contribution on the global fashion stage. As part of the festivities, #OPENSPACE hosted a panel discussion on ‘The Business in African Print & Culture’.