The Vim Views & Versions - Blogs of a MIghTy African

Hey everyone, it's Ato Ulzen-Appiah , the #MightyAfrican , back on the blog to share something close to my heart – Azonto! If you've followed my adventures on social media or here on mightyafrican.blogspot.com , you know I'm all about celebrating Ghanaian culture, from our music to our vibes. Azonto isn't just a dance to me; it's a symbol of creativity, fun, and that unbreakable Ghanaian spirit. It's been over a decade since it exploded onto the scene, but my love for it hasn't faded. In fact, I've always said that if you are a Ghanaian and you can't dance Azonto, we might need to question your Ghanaian credentials – or take that GhanaCard that Bawumia promised could do 23 things. Mastering those moves is like earning your Ghana passport; it proves you're tapped into the essence of our culture. Let me take you through my thoughts, experiences, and why I believe Azonto deserves to be as global as salsa or even Kizomba – and spoiler: it alread...

  My journey didn’t begin in a living room with a famous or successful business man or politician in Ghana . It traces back to the vibrant, intellectually charged environment of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology ( KNUST ) campus in Kumasi , Ghana. Growing up, my parents were senior lecturers , and I was immersed in an academic ecosystem that felt both comfortable and, in a way, predetermined. There was an unspoken expectation—the path of least resistance—that I would follow in their footsteps, attend KNUST , and continue that cycle. This reflection comes after an insightful conversation I had with Kwame Boateng of Africa Capital Connect , where we dug deep into the origins of my entrepreneurial path [ 03:10 ]. You can watch our full, wide-ranging discussion on the Africa Capital Connect YouTube channel here: But there is a specific kind of entrepreneurial spirit that is often forged in the fires of teenage rebellion. At that stage in my life, I felt an i...

My brothers and sisters in Ghana and across the continent, Once again, distressing images have flooded our timelines: Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa , shops attacked, harassment in townships, and the painful label of “xenophobia.” As I sit in Accra reflecting on my own experiences in Mzansi , my heart feels heavy. This piece, co-written with my South African alter-ego Siyabonga Mthimkhulu , draws from candid conversations I initiated with several South Africans , my personal travels, and realities many outsiders miss. We need understanding and #MoreVim , not just outrage. My connection to South Africa goes back to November 2011. I visited both Joburg and Cape Town while there for Google work. And then in May 2013, I was in Cape Town for the World Economic Forum on Africa — #shapeafrica . Wearing my GhanaThink Foundation , badge proudly, I immersed myself in sessions, networking, and cultural exchanges. The city greeted me with Table Mountain watching over everything, th...