Akuba (Grace Quansah)  is an experienced social researcher and lecturer in London colleges/universities since 1988, Akuba simultaneously began enchanting audiences of all ages from 1997, with African performance storytelling. Apart from telling global tales using song and selected African artefacts, she creates her own folktales and enjoys writing poetry (i.e. Eight - six poems, ten songs and fourteen short stories to date). Her proudest achievements are being awarded ‘Aspiring Female Storyteller’ by Black Women in the Arts, (2006 and 2007), and winning a writing competition, judged by Random House Children’s Books, (2006). The Awakening of Elmina is now published in Malorie Blackman’s, Unheard Voices (2007) and was performed at Cape Castle (Ghana) for Panafest 2007 to commemorate the Bicentenary of the abolition Slave Trade Act of 1807. Having had various poems, conference reports and an academic paper published in specific anthologies or journals she sees herself as an ‘all-rounder writer’. Her current writing projects include a novel for Random House, the compilation of a poetry collection, (When Abolition Met Black History in 2007) and the production of an audio-visual storytelling DVD of her African and Caribbean tales.As a Ghanaian-descended mother of four children in primary and secondary schools, university and in the Media, Akuba is particularly committed to empowering black and other minority ethnic learners to achieve highly in education. She has set up a project for 11 to 14 year olds; WAPPY (Writing, Acting and Publishing Project for Youngsters) in collaboration with the Positive Awareness Charity and Youth & Connexions Summer Uni Ealing 2008. WAPPY is a literary initiative that aims to nurture and develop the creative writing skills of young people from multi- ethnic backgrounds and train them to become skilled performers of their creative work(s) which they will subsequentl showcase and have published. See http://shawanalulu.blogspot.com/2008/08/wappy.html for WAPPY 2008.

Akuba also works at the British Museum, facilitating the workshop African Tales in the Paul Hamlyn Library for the under sevens as well as doing themed creative performances or off-site teaching with artefacts on behalf of the British Museum. As part of the National Museums Online Learning Project, ‘Creative journeys’ Akuba can now viewed performing her tale, The Wise Old Oba of Benin at the BM for the Festival of Storytelling (Sept 2008) (http://vimeo.com/3200509?pg=embed&sec=. She is an active member of several local community groups, including Chair of Black History, West London & Culture Group, Acton Community Forum Executive Committee and the Positive Awareness Charity. She enjoys collaborating with various artists including award winning flautist/composer, Keith Waite of Essequibo Music, gifted Ghanaian instrument maker/musician, Jojo Yates and the legendary international performance storyteller/musician, Tuup

Workshops

My approach is flexible and versatile, offering workshops/or performances in small groups or whole school assemblies. I can work with any age group or key stage, from nursery to primary and secondary school, to further education and university level. Depending on the size of the group technological equipment like a cordless mic (for assemblies for example) may be necessary. With advance consultation I can create original material or produce material that fits in with a school theme or parts of a curriculum.

Feedback

‘The way Akuba drew out the group’s talent meant that the performers strutting their stuff at the end of the session were unrecognisable from the nervous bunch sitting in a circle at start. All agreed that it was an excellent session.’ Hilary Nichols Friends of St. Saviour’s Church of England Primary School, Ealing, 2008.
‘Thanks again it truly was a fantastic week’, Mike Warren, Head of Drama at Drayton Manor High School, Hanwell, Ealing, 2008.

Awards

‘Aspiring Female Storyteller’ by Black Women in the Arts, (2006 and 2007).

Joint winner of the Unheard Voices writing competition, (Oct. 2006) Judged by Malorie Blackman and Random house Children’s Books. The winning poem, The Awakening of Elmina is now published in Malorie Blackman’s, Unheard Voices (2007). Also received £200 prize money.

Book list.

Published works are included in:

The Awakening of Elmina, Mother lasts Forever.