Meet Poetra Asantewa

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Poetra Asantewa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Poetra, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I built my confidence by doing. From early on I noticed that how I performed in private and how I performed in front of others were two very different things. The presence of an audience always brought nerves, sometimes even anxiety. But I also realized that whenever I pushed myself to act in spite of that fear, I came out stronger. So I leaned into it. I said yes to opportunities, even when I wasn’t sure I was “good enough,” and I sought out moments that made me stretch. Each attempt, whether it went well or not gave me a little more courage. Over time, that practice of showing up again and again, became the foundation of my self-esteem.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a poet, musician, and cultural entrepreneur building platforms that help Ghanaian artists thrive. My work grew out of realizing, as a young artist myself, that our creative scene was full of talent but short on infrastructure. That insight led me to found Black Girls Glow, which nurtures women artists through residencies, creative programs, and public engagement, and Tampered Press, a publishing house that has given more than 150 Ghanaian writers a platform for their voices.
What excites me most is seeing how art ripples outwards — shifting culture, sparking dialogue, and transforming lives. My own creative projects – from music that honours forgotten women in Ghana’s history to stories capturing youth realities, are deeply connected to the institutions I build. Together, they’re about one thing: creating sustainable spaces where artists don’t just survive, but shape culture for generations to come.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Doing it afraid and doing it consistently. I got better each time I pushed through nerves, and each attempt gave me more momentum to keep going.
Nurturing relationships with my peers: the people I came up with, collaborated with, and supported are the same ones who continue to open doors, exchange ideas, and grow alongside me. That peer network has been as valuable as any mentor. And resourcefulness — learning to stretch limited means, adapt, and keep moving forward shaped both my art and the institutions I’ve built.
For anyone starting out, my advice is: practice doing it afraid until it becomes second nature; invest in genuine peer relationships because those bonds will carry you through the long haul; and when it comes to constraints, it’s okay to be frustrated, to feel the lack of access or resources and even cry if you need to — but after that, see it as an invitation to be superhumanly creative.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes I’m very open to collaboration, especially at this stage of my journey. Over the past decade, I’ve shown that artist-centered institutions can thrive in Ghana, even with limited resources. Now, I’m seeking catalytic partners who can help scale this impact — especially through large, multi-year grants that provide stability and room to grow.
Beyond funding, I’m also eager to connect with collaborators who bring expertise in technology, education, and international partnerships — areas that are critical for the next phase of my work.
If you’re reading this and feel aligned, I’d love to connect. Together we can build a more resilient and globally impactful creative ecosystem for Ghana.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://tikuw.org
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/poetra_asantewa/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ama-asantewa-diaka-03086828

Image Credits

Desouza Henry Nelson
Rachel Seidu
David Olutola