Abstract
This hybrid lecture gives insights into the practice of Nnoboa Space, a design research and education practice situated in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. It addresses questions, learnings, failures and strategies from working across multiple sectors to collectively target issues such as waste colonialism, youth unemployment and gender inequalities. Under the premise “disruptions to the process might lead to helpful mutations in the code”, the lecture will be punctuated by visual and acoustic interferences. To assemble the project's complexity in the room, this hybrid session will invite 5 members from different geographies (GHA, DEU, CH), disciplines (fashion design, business, education, design research) and sectors (corporate, non-governmental, independent culture, academic).
Some of the themes to be discussed are: How co-enabling each other helps to gain and maintain agency under challenging conditions. How allowing for conceptual contaminations, embracing chaos, and adaptations can foster more robust, more contextually suited practice.
About the Authors:
Martin Wöllenstein is a multidisciplinary artist and researcher. He is co-founder of the platform Nnoboa Space in Ghana and the artist collective VIVA comunidad creativa in Cuba. His work has been shown internationally at institutions such as 15th Havana Biennial, 4th Sinop Biennial, Nubuke foundation Accra, documenta fifteen, Goethe Institute Accra.
Kwabena Obiri Yeboah, PhD, is a social entrepreneur, innovation management expert, and sustainability advocate. He leads youth empowerment initiatives and promotes Africa- Europe collaboration through diaspora investment and circular economy endeavors.
Jana Heinemann is a fashion designer and founder of IMPARI, a sustainable label engaging in social-ecological responsible production. Her work has been shown at internationally at occasions such as Berlin Fashion Week 2021- 2024, Accra Fashion Week 2022, Togo Fashion Week 2023, Showroom Paris and New York 2024.
Yaw Andoh Mensah is a sustainability advocate and entrepreneurship strategist at Social Entrepreneurship Hub, Ghana, where he drives circular economy projects in textile and plastic waste management, empowering communities, fostering youth innovation, and promoting responsible production for inclusive growth aligned with global sustainability goals.
Adriana Jane Swanzy Mensah, MBA, is a business owner and advocate for women and youth in entrepreneurship in Ghana. She mentors and guides young innovators to build socially impactful startups that balance sustainability and profitability, fostering creativity, strategic thinking, and the courage to drive change.
Romeo Addai-Boateng Akoto is an entrepreneur and social innovator. He is lead youth entrepreneurship and project coordinator at the Social Entrepreneurship Hub. He also holds positions as human resource business partner and QHSE Supervisor at Nationwide technologies limited, vice chairman at Western Business Awards and as financial director of Supreme Masquerade Society.
Contact: Martin.woellenstein@gmail.com
