Modern history has most often been written through the Western gaze and, with that power, comes the ability to control and shape narratives. A new generation of Africans, however, are taking ownership of their countries’ histories and, in effect, helping reclaim their narratives.
Rita Mawuena Benissan, a Ghanaian-American interdisciplinary artist, has been at the forefront of this drive. In 2020, Benissan founded Si Hene, an award-winning non-profit foundation collecting and preserving archives telling stories about Ghana’s chieftaincy and traditional culture, creating awareness around its royal history, and making it accessible globally via digital media.