Lebanese/Egyptian | Ghanaian...

Photo credit: provided by subject

…/German/British/Brazilian/Portuguese

I identify as an Earth citizen. My Dad was Lebanese with Egyptian roots, and my Mum is Ghanaian with a mixed background of German, British, Brazilian and Portuguese. My Dad was a music promoter and music producer and my Mum was a final year Graphic Arts student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. They met at the Kumasi airport after a flight from Accra to Kumasi. My Father was travelling on business and my Mum was on her way to her university hostel.

Since both my parents spent most of their lives in Ghana, this is where they found common ground. My Father loved Ghanaian culture hence his involvement in developing the ethnic music scene. He loved Ghanaian foods and also taught my Mum how to cook Lebanese dishes. On two occasions they visited Lebanon together.

I am married to a mixed-race man of Ghanaian and German heritage. I feel having similar experiences growing up helped us relate to each other and to understand to some extent, each other's psyche. In many places interracial relationships are much more accepted today than they have been in the past, however some races face more discrimination and still struggle to be accepted by other races. We need to remember that before any nationality, we are human. We need to look inward and see ourselves for what we all are; spiritual bodies on a human journey. The more we love others regardless of their outward appearance, the more we will live in peace with love and respect for each other.

I remember when my siblings and I were young and attending Middle Eastern community parties. We usually felt left out because we couldn't speak Arabic and most of the conversations going on were in Arabic. Looking back, I realized many of our best friends from the Lebanese community are the ones who took the time to speak to us in English during those gatherings.

I used to struggle with the fact that I am perceived as a foreigner in my country. Many times my nationality was questioned especially when I tried to participate in national activities, like voting. I would be asked questions like ‘what makes you a Ghanaian?’ or ‘are you sure you're Ghanaian?’. Such comments sometimes made me feel like withdrawing from my local community though I kept finding the strength to keep moving and to continue to reach out to my community in various amazing projects. Today I am proud to host the biggest artisan event in the city of Accra which provides income to over one hundred artisans and small local businesses.

I was born and raised in Ghana. I eventually visited Lebanon at the age of 28 when my Father was sick and admitted in hospital there. That limited my experience although I really loved Lebanon and made the most of my time there. I got to meet relatives, enjoy the landscape, and I still have many great memories.

My outlook on being mixed-race has definitely changed growing up. I used to see myself as ‘struggling to be accepted as Ghanaian’, until I realized it all came down to a shift in awareness. Most times the names used to describe mixed-race people are used fondly and not usually intended to harm or hurt us. It took a while for me to get that. Ghana is also a melting pot of many nationalities.

If I were reborn I'd like to return just the way I am! As a singer/songwriter and recording artist I use my voice to raise awareness about mixed-race issues in Ghana. My latest song ‘HOW ARE YOU’ features WANLOV the Kubolor (another mixed-race artist) and highlights some of the issues related to stereotyping.

During the pandemic I have been staying at home as much as possible with my family, staying out of crowded places and staying masked up.