Chris Cox, the Chief Product Officer at Facebook has visited Ghana to meet and interact with Ghanaian tech and creative talents.
He first visited the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Accra, to meet with Ghanaian tech-entrepreneurs and see how they are working to build sustainable technology businesses.
Cox commented: “With Facebook and its family of apps, we aim to give people around the world the ability to connect with each other, grow their businesses and tell their own stories. I am excited to see how Ghana’s entrepreneurs are using mobile, video and other technologies to build products and services that empower the community and that address local needs or solve local problems in innovative ways.”
He later attended an event at the ANO Gallery where he was part of a panel discussion with art, music, food and fashion design entrepreneurs, discussing how they use the Facebook and Instagram to tell powerful and engaging stories to audiences in Ghana and beyond. Joining the panel were musicians, M.anifest and Efya, visual artist Bright Ackwerh, spoken word artist Poetra Asantewa and Marie Kipre of Totally Ethnik.
The event saw performances from a host of local talent including Wiyaala, M.anifest and Ebo Taylor.
Director of ANO Institute of Contemporary Arts Nana Oforiatta-Ayim, commeted: “I was very happy to introduce some of Ghana’s talented artists to the team at Facebook. I am passionate about showcasing Ghana’s art and cultural narratives to the world and platforms like Facebook offer powerful new ways do that.”
PY Addo-Boateng Creative Director of Bless The Mic said: “Facebook and Instagram have given music fans new ways to interact with their favourite artists and bands – from behind the scenes photos to LIVE videos from gigs. For Bless the Mic it’s been one of the ways we’ve been able to to take Ghanian music to people across the world. But more than that, it has enabled us to be part of a global community that is truly passionate about creativity and music.”
M.anifest who appeared on the panel discussion said, “We have some really compelling stories to share in Ghana, not just with other Ghanaians but with audiences around the world. The remarkable thing about Facebook is that it gives us cutting-edge and exciting new ways to connect with people and to tell our stories ourselves and in our own way.”
According to Chris Cox: “Stories matter, whether it’s the stories of our lives or the story of Africa’s growth and ascendance. We want Ghana’s storytellers — the musicians, the filmmakers, the bloggers — to take their stories to the rest of the world. I’ve been honoured to meet some of Ghana’s top talent today and hear how they are using technology to share their stories and perspectives within Ghana and around the globe.”
Chris’s visit is part of a week-long trip to Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal where Chris is keen to understand how creatives, developers and entrepreneurs are using mobile technology to create services, content and businesses that address local needs.
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