Yaw Ofosu-Asare

Writing / essays / public thought / fragments

Writing Archive.

Essays, notes, public commentary, stories, and unfinished thoughts on design, Ghana, Blackness, memory, masculinity, coloniality, politics, and survival.

featured / #001

The Shirt, The Spoon, The Number 57

The iron hisses. Pfffffffssss. You know this sound the way you know a name being mispronounced. The shirt on the board is white. Keep saying it. White. White in the way that things become white after you have worked at them past the hour when working at things

Ghana2026Open piece

#002

Black Bodies, White Permission and The Coloniser’s Quiet Morning

When you enter a building and the only Black people, or the only people with your skin colour, are the cleaners, something shifts in you that no diversity slogan can calm, because your body has just walked into a diagram the world keeps pretending it didn’t dr

Essay2026

#003

Black Men, Hair, and the Quiet Making of Masculinity

The first ridiculous thing I learned about leaving home was that a haircut could cost the same as my groceries. Not nice groceries either. Struggling-international-student groceries. The kind where you stand in the aisle comparing two brands of rice and choose

Essay2026

#004

From Colonialism to African Futures

Decolonising Philosophy, Education, and Design What does it really mean to decolonise education, beyond adding African content to existing curricula? In From Colonialism to African Futures , I reflect on how colonial legacies continue to shape philosophy, scho

Essay2026

#005

Blackness, with the lights off (and whiteness as the lighting system)

Blackness is not a personality type. It’s not even one feeling. It’s more like a room you walk into and realise the walls are already listening. Some people meet Blackness as pride first. Others meet it as danger. Some meet it as a passport problem. Some meet

Essay2026

#006

On the Tenderness of Extraction

There is something worth pausing over in the way certain bodies move through Indigenous spaces with such confidence. Not the confidence of the soldier or the administrator. We recognise that choreography, have named it, built entire archives around its documen

Essay2025

#007

Where Did Everyone Go?

I was sick and alone in a strange country. Australia. Three weeks in, and I did not know anyone, not really. Just housemates in a shared space, including guys from India, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh. We nodded in the kitchen, shared the bathroom rota, kept it

Essay2025

#008

Seeing Design Everywhere: Reflections on Land, Story, and Cultural Geographies of Care

Design often feels like something distant, something that happens in studios or boardrooms. But what if design has always been closer than we think. What if it lives in the ordinary gestures that sustain life. In my recent talk, “Land, Story and Design: Cultur

Design2025

#009

The Puritanical Friends | The Educated Empties

Sometimes I wonder if we even know who we are anymore. We say we are fighting, but for what? For freedom? For dignity? For justice? Or are we only fighting the ghost of the white man, so consumed with opposition that we have forgotten what we are actually tryi

Philosophy2025

#010

No One Teaches You How to Be This Man

I didn’t become a man in one moment. It wasn’t a single conversation, a ceremony, or a rite of passage. It was slow. Uneven. Sometimes quiet and painful. Sometimes loud and awkward. Mostly invisible. I became a man through watching the men in my life carry wei

Essay2025

#011

The Dust of Amanful Mini Book

It was 1990 when Efua first stepped onto Amanful Road in Ketan. The earth beneath her feet was warm, reddish-brown and fractured like old pottery, dust rising gently with each step. The Atlantic breeze brushed against her skin, whispering promises she couldn’t

Essay2025

#012

The Ordinary Silence We Call Boredom

The room sits. The chair sits. The table sits. The air does nothing. A window does less. The wall repeats itself, white, white, white. My hands rest, not moving, not meaning. Time does not pass, or if it does, it passes by limping. Nothing changes. A breath go

Philosophy2025

#013

In the Shadow of the Returned One

We taste the salt of our own sweat in the air, we who have laboured under this same sun through countless seasons of promise and betrayal. The harmattan winds blow red dust from the north, carrying whispers of our ancestors' disappointment, settling in the cre

Ghana2025

#014

I am here

Prayer: God, I'm here, shaking and confused, feeling things I can’t control. My heart is racing, my body restless, filled with desires and fears I don’t fully understand. Please help me through this chaos. Guide me, steady me, and lead me through the storms ra

Essay2025

#015

The Ripple Effect of Football, The Infinite Game and Infinite Consciousness

On a freshly-cut pitch beneath an endless sky, football unfolds like poetry in motion. Each pass paints strokes of possibility, each run a subtle brush on the canvas of the match. Players glide effortlessly, exchanging the ball with an intuitive harmony, dance

Essay2025

#016

From Makola to the Market: The Ghanaian Culture and Economy

Ghana’s economic struggles are multifaceted, but one of the most striking aspects is how the country’s cultural history and practices have shaped its modern economic landscape. For decades, Ghana has grappled with systemic failures, and the informal economy ha

Ghana2025

#017

Decolonising African Design Education

Decolonising Design in Africa Download

Design2024

#018

Time, Reality, and Life: An African Perspective

The prevailing Western concept of time, with its relentless segmentation into hours, minutes, and seconds, invites a sharp critique for its role in shaping a society obsessively preoccupied with productivity and efficiency. This granular parsing of time commod

Ghana2024

#019

Red vs. Blue — NDC and NPP's Visual Battle in Ghana

The selection of colours in political branding, such as red and blue, often holds significant symbolism, and the choice by Ghana's major political parties—NDC and NPP—provides a fascinating study in contrast and cultural context. Traditionally, in the United S

Ghana2024

#020

Broken Chains, Hidden Voices

For most of my life, I've found myself in the midst of heated debates and passionate discussions about the future of Africa. As a scholar and an observer, I've sat through countless meetings, conferences, and informal gatherings where the air was thick with rh

Philosophy2024

#021

Shadows of Envy and the Quest for Identity in Post-Colonial Africa

I must admit, I often feel a deep-seated envy, a sentiment exacerbated by my Western education. This feeling is not merely about desiring what others have but stems from a need to validate myself within the Western context. It's a relentless push to prove my w

Ghana2024

#022

Envisioning Ghana's Ideal Leader in the 21st Century

The question of what makes the best president is a complex one that has been debated by political philosophers, theorists, and the general public for centuries. In the context of Ghanaian politics and culture, this question takes on particular significance giv

Ghana2024

#023

Ghana's Saga: From Azumah's Uppercuts to Gyan's Miss –the Search for Ghana's Next Hero

As the sun set on the Ghana of the 1990s and early 2000s, it cast long shadows of figures larger than life. The newscasters of my youth, with voices deep and commanding, didn't just report events; they were the pulse of a nation brimming with pride. Abedi Pele

Ghana2024

#024

Discovering Racial Capitalism - A Journey of Discontent and Curiosity

As I write this article, I am embarking on a journey of understanding a concept that struck a chord within me - racial capitalism. The term, new to my lexicon, sparked a sense of discontent and an insatiable curiosity. It's an exploration into how racial dynam

Ghana2023

#025

Life Unscripted: Navigating the Tangled Paths of Reality and Expectations

Growing up, many of us believed in a kind of script: you go to school, get a job, start a family, and eventually retire to enjoy the fruits of your labour. But at some point, we wake up to the fact that this script might not be all it's cracked up to be. Let's

Story2023

#026

Understanding the Power of Language in Today's World

In a world where narratives are deftly moulded by the lexicon of media giants, a closer examination of the language used unveils not just a powerful tool of communication, but also a potential instrument of manipulation and control. This piece navigates through the fluctuating...

Philosophy2023

#027

Between the Shadows: Colouring Human Nature Beyond the Binary

As you navigate the bustling streets of Lagos, Accra or Cairo, the diverse human mosaic of Africa comes alive. From the wealthy business tycoons zooming past in their shiny cars to the resilient street vendors, every individual forms a unique stitch in this ri

Philosophy2023

#028

Vote-Buying, Political Maneuvering, and Shameless Pandering: The Asin North By-Election in Review

The recent by-election in Asin North was a revealing spectacle, casting a harsh light on the murky world of Ghanaian politics. It had all the elements of a political drama - vote-buying, political maneuvering, and politicians shamelessly pandering to the elect

Ghana2023

#029

Friendship and Life's Riddles

From the dusty landscapes of my native Ghana to the sprawling metropolises of Australia, I have traversed continents, surmounting innumerable challenges to attain the enviable position of a Ph.D. holder. It has been an arduous journey, lasting not just the fou

Personal2023

#030

The Mahama Re-election Conundrum: A Step Back for Ghana's Progress?

As we delve into the crux of the argument, it's important to first acknowledge the charisma and political acumen of John Mahama, the former President of Ghana. His tenure had its merits and he did make efforts to spur growth in Ghana. However, the idea of his

Ghana2023

#031

Ghana is Suffering from a Political Broken Heart: A Chronicle of Disappointment and Betrayal

In the throes of Ghana's political heartbreak, the citizens find themselves confronted with a palpable sense of disillusionment, not unlike the heartache that follows the bitter end of a romantic relationship. For many Ghanaians, the once-rosy promise of a bri

Ghana2023

#032

The Paradoxical Paragon: The Tale of Sam, Ghana's Man of the People

In the annals of Ghanaian political history, few figures have loomed as large as the indomitable Sam, a Member of Parliament who rose from humble beginnings to become the very embodiment of the common man – or so he would have you believe. Sam, a tireless cham

Ghana2023

#033

Fear, Loathing, and the Great Ideological Swindle: The NPP and NDC's Bizarre Dance in Ghana's Political Theatre

By Yaw Ofosu-Asare, Explorer of Political Chimeras In the ever-shifting sands of Ghanaian politics, I find myself bearing witness to a bizarre metamorphosis – a grotesque exchange of ideological skins between two once-distinct political animals. The New Patrio

Ghana2023

#034

Corruption in Ghana: The One Thing We're Actually Good At (A Cultural Analysis of Ghana's Struggle with Corruption)

As I sit down to write about corruption in Ghana, I can't help but feel a deep sense of sadness and frustration. It's the one thing we seem to be really good at. Move over, chocolate and kente cloth. Corruption is our national treasure, our pièce de résistance

Ghana2023

#035

Unveiling the Beauty of the Ghanaian Akan Naming System: A Cultural Journey

Step into a world of ancient tradition and cultural heritage as we embark on a journey through the mystical realm of Ghanaian naming. Discover the unique Akan naming system, steeped in historical significance, philosophical depth, and theoretical rigor. Explor

Ghana2023

#036

Critically Examining Christianity in Ghana: The Controversy Surrounding the Church in Africa

The history of Christianity in Africa is complex and varied, with the religion having been brought to the continent by European colonizers and later spreading through various means, including missionary work and independent movements. In Ghana and other parts

Ghana2023

#037

Unlocking Africa's Economic Potential: Overcoming Demographic, Energy, and Historical Challenges

Exploring the Impact of Population Growth on Africa's Economic Development Africa, a continent that is home to over 1.2 billion people, is projected to more than double its population by 2050. This population growth, while having the potential to be a driving

Ghana2023

#038

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a PhD in Australia: Requirements, Funding, and Tips

So you're thinking about applying for a PhD in Australia, huh? Congrats! You're about to embark on a wild, whirlwind adventure filled with late nights in the library, endless cups of coffee, and more acronyms than you can shake a stick at. But first, you gotta

Guide2023

#039

How to Find a Supervisor for Your PhD Program: Tips and Sample Emails

So, you've decided to pursue a PhD - congratulations! This is a significant undertaking, but also an exciting opportunity to delve deep into a subject you are passionate about and make a real contribution to your field. One of the first steps in the process of

Guide2023

#040

10 Tips for Writing a Successful PhD Proposal: A Guide with Examples

A PhD proposal is a document that outlines the research you intend to conduct as part of your PhD studies. It is a critical element of the PhD application process, as it provides the basis for your research degree and helps to ensure that your project is feasi

Guide2023

#041

A Day in the Life of Young School Children in Ghana

Welcome to the wild and wacky world of young school children in Ghana! Here, no two days are the same, and there's always something new and exciting to discover. In the morning, the alarm clock goes off at the crack of dawn, and it's time to rise and shine. Th

Ghana2023

#042

Exploring the Roots of Ghanaian Philosophy: A Look at Traditional Beliefs and Practices

This article could delve into the traditional philosophical foundations of Ghanaian culture, including indigenous religions and worldviews, and how they have influenced contemporary thinking.

Ghana2023

#043

A Grandma's Guide to the Wonders of West Africa: Beaches, Sports, Religion, and More!

Are you ready for the ultimate travel guide to West Africa from the perspective of your favorite Ghanaian grandma? Buckle up, because we're about to take you on a wild ride through the cultural, religious, and sporting wonders of this beautiful region. First s

Ghana2023

#044

The Rich and Diverse History of Ghanaian and African Music

Ghanaian music has a rich and diverse history that has been shaped by the country's political and economic atmosphere over the years. During the colonial period, Ghanaian music was heavily influenced by Western music, as the country was colonized by the Britis

Ghana2023

#045

Ghanaian Music as a Mirror of Society: A Look at the Themes and Styles of the Past and Present

Ghanaian music has always played a crucial role in reflecting the society and culture of the country. From the traditional rhythms of the drums to the modern sounds of afrobeats, Ghanaian music has always been a platform for artists to express their thoughts,

Ghana2023

#046

The Joyous Tradition of Masquerading in Ghana: From Ancestral Honoring to Contemporary Celebration

Masquerading, also known as "fancy dress" or "fancy mas" in Ghana, is a colorful and festive tradition that has a long and rich history in the country. Contrary to popular belief, masquerading is not a new or imported tradition, but rather has deep roots in th

Ghana2023

#047

The Drunken Wisdom of the Old Man Under the Palm Tree

As the old man sat in the afternoon sun, basking in the warmth of the tropical climate, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. He had lived a long and fulfilling life, and now, in his golden years, he was able to sit back and enjoy the

Ghana2023

#048

Adinkra Symbols: Challenging Western Notions of African Philosophy

Adinkra symbols are visual symbols that originated among the Ashanti people of Ghana and the Gyaman people of Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa. They were traditionally used to communicate ideas, proverbs, and historical events, and have since been adopted by many

Design2023

#049

Endless Road Stories

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Travel2022

#050

Blonde Surf Girl

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Nature2022

#051

Bird Eye Shots

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Travel2022

#052

Desert Treasure Hunt

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Nature2022

#053

Blue Ocean Waves

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Travel2022