Why Creative Platforms Can Be Lifelines for Ghanaian Creatives

As a creative, imagining the pursuit of creativity before the emergence of digitalisation gives me shivers. My head aches from all the questions that fill it up. ‘How did creatives survive then?’ I ask. How did they showcase their creativity to the world? How did they own the works of their hands and minds, and proudly say, ‘Yes, I did this!’Now, don’t get me wrong. I am aware of all the other ways people displayed their talents in the past: concert shows, newspapers, stage plays, yes. But I find it hard to compare those with the immediacy of the digital age. ‘How swift was it, back then?’ I can only imagine the time-consuming processes, how draining it was to be seen—the energy needed to let the world know, ‘this is what I'm made of!’ ‘This is what I can do!’I picture the manuscript of the novel you wrote five years ago still sitting in the corner of your room, gathering dust because you lack the means for publication. Or a rare photo of an African woman in traditional regalia, dancing the ‘bawaa’ of the Dagaaba people, hanging on your wall for decades, never seeing daylight because you have no platform to showcase it.I cringe at the countless creative dreams that died, the many untold stories that withered away, because the world could not witness or appreciate their impact. How saddening.However, the world is changing at an unprecedented pace. With it, online creative platforms and avenues have come to stay.Creative platforms have become essential avenues for expression and dialogue, becoming the foundations upon which creative work is shown to the world and thus, brought to life.Apart from offering an online presence, they open up a wealth of opportunities for creative individuals, empowering them to share their skills, talents and visions with the world. The difference exists not just in the support they bring, but in the swiftness with which they do it.

How Is The Situation In Ghana?

Ghana, just like many other countries, is a growing hub of innovation and creative expressions, with rare talents that the world needs to see; from budding writers to visual storytellers, graphic designers and poets, fashion designers, artists and musicians.Our creatives deserve the right spaces to exhibit their works and connect with the world. Hence, creative platforms like Creatives Project Ghana, New Comma, Nenta Journal, Nuku Studio, Afro Bloggers, Writers Project Ghana, The Adinkra Project, Global Writers Project, Tampered Press, NadèLI, among others, exist to allow creatives to share their works, to give their creations a home, to give it the love and care it deserves without the hustle and bustle of going through long and expensive processes that will leave one catching breath by the time the work gets to their audience.

Why Are Online Creative Platforms Important For Ghanaian Creatives?

I remember, with great nostalgia, the first time I had the opportunity to showcase a poem I wrote on an online platform. I was a recent high school graduate who didn't have any fancy equipment, not even a smartphone. All I had was my pen and a dream—a dream to make a difference in the world through writing.So, with the help of my friend and her smartphone, my poem was posted on the platform. I remembered the childlike warmth that filled my body when I got back to the post and saw all the positive comments.Looking at the positive reactions about my poem from people across the world only reminded me that, no matter your location, your voice can still travel beyond borders and make a difference in the world. Online creative spaces can help you with that.First, these platforms break the barriers to the process of creation for many artists. Being part of a creative platform makes the world easily accessible.Expensive equipment and luxurious space become just that, a luxury, rather than a necessity. You only require an internet-based tool like a smartphone or a laptop with good internet connectivity, and you'll be seen and heard across the globe in seconds.Also, these platforms play a key role in fostering collaboration between creatives. The boon of collaborative creation is very crucial in many creative journeys, because it births new ideas and sparks fresh perspectives among fellow creatives, mentors and professionals, enabling them to enhance themselves and their perception on creation.Creatives Project Ghana, for instance, enforces this purpose, helping Ghanaian creatives refine their creativity with confidence through collaboration.Recently, an idea for a poem crossed my mind. It centred around climate change, which I'm quite passionate about. I wanted my poem to embody emotion, a deep sense of reflection that spoke to the soul of my reader. I wanted it to be really powerful and passionate, but how to do so eluded me, somehow. I reached out to a fellow creative for guidance, or at least a tiny clue as to how to go about my poem. Truth be told, after we brainstormed together, fresh perspectives and countless new ideas arose. I was amazed.It gave me a deep sense of reflection about the importance of collaborative effort. At times, a fresh perspective outside of yourself is all you need. A creative person cannot always do it alone. An idea or just a word from someone you know may make all the difference in your work..So far in my creative journey, I can recognise my own improvement. Along with that, I'm gaining more visibility as a writer. With this, I encourage creatives to take up such opportunities as it will not just increase their visibility but enable them to improve their craft, building them for greater opportunities. I can't wait to show more of myself and what I can do to the world.Online creative spaces are currently essential hotspots for the discovery of new opportunities, in the form of contests, exhibitions or even collaborative works. I come across a lot of such opportunities in the creative space, and even when I do not qualify or win, I get feedback on how to improve my work. Every constructive criticism is always an opportunity to get better and come back stronger.Most of these contests, organised by Online creative platforms, also offer rewards or prizes, which serve as motivation for contestants.In addition, some online platforms organise online courses and webinars, providing comprehensive classes for creatives to grow their creativity to match consumer demands and also stay relevant in the competitive market. Not just that, they teach creatives new skills outside their niche, offering them multiple alternatives to choose from. Some of these skills taught may include graphic design, photography, web development, and digital marketing, among others.Most of these courses come with flexible timelines, enabling individuals to set achievable goals and work towards them. Before now, I had little or no idea about visual storytelling. I enrolled in a creative online course. For four weeks, I learnt some basic things about visual storytelling. On my own accord, I went on to take practical lessons through a photo agency, learning various aspects of photography. Since then, I have used that knowledge, creating my own photos and bringing life to my works.As a creative, nothing is more fulfilling than building such authenticity through your works and gaining the trust of your audience.To sum up, Creative platforms provide opportunities for audience engagement. Imagine seeing comments on your posts like ‘wow, this is amazing’ or ‘I can relate to this…thanks for sharing’, and you find yourself smiling like you just won a lottery. Awesome, isn't it?As a creative, it's so fulfilling to see positive feedback from your posts, even if it's constructive criticism. It enables you to understand what content resonates with your audience and adjust accordingly. It also offers you the opportunity to engage with your audience, building their trust and loyalty.

Are We There Yet?

Unfortunately, most Ghanaian creatives still lack visibility, probably due to inconsistency, fear of judgment or maybe unappealing craft. That is why Creative platforms matter, to help creatives master their craft while staying consistent. They are the bedrock on which creatives are built and elevated. They bring the works of creatives to the limelight, offering them a world of possibilities. For these small gifts, I’d advise that every creative, especially Ghanaian creatives looking forward to building their brands, needs to be a part of an online creative platform.As a Ghanaian writer navigating this digital space, creative platforms are not just tools; they are life support systems, and they have challenged me, shaped me and continue to expand my horizon in what I believe is possible.

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Why Creative Platforms Can Be Lifelines for Ghanaian Creatives

How Is The Situation In Ghana?

Why Are Online Creative Platforms Important For Ghanaian Creatives?

Are We There Yet?

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