ABOUT ME
Hello. And welcome to my website. My name is Akua Manfo. But I am known as Blakofe. I am a content developer; media personality; influencer; former deputy CEO, Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC); award-winning writer; travel advisor; and culture, diversity and inclusion speaker. Ask people to describe me and words such as 'pacesetter', 'visionary', 'honest', 'The Ideas Woman', 'ethical', 'integrity', and 'natural born leader' are words you will hear. I wear many hats and often find it difficult to describe what I do! Let's just say, I get things done in Ghana's art, entertainment, culture, and tourism spaces. I have direct and indirect contacts to high profile personalities across Africa and the Diaspora. I know movers and shakers in politics, entertainment, and business; but more importantly, I know how to open doors and make the right introductions.
I am dual Ghanaian-British; born in Ghana, my family left for the United Kingdom (UK) when I was 10 years old. I returned to Ghana when I was 25 years old and quickly established myself as a household name. I am a free-spirit and jovial person and this reflects in how I work.
Since 1995, I have been part of Ghana's Sankofa (return home to Ghana) team and have worked with Emancipation committee, PANAFEST committee, ministers of tourism and other stakeholders. I have also assisted and facilated the visit of people from the Diaspora to Ghana. In 2009, I chaperoned Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari-Parker to the Cape Coast Slave Dungeon. It was from this visit that the idea of Full Circle Festival was born. I am also credited with being part of the initators of Ghana's successful 2019 Year of Return.
D.A.N.C.E - Diasporans and Africans Need Communication & Engagement
As a follow-up to the work I do, my sister, Pamela Manfo-Marc and I founded D.A.N.C.E to advise, consult and assist you when you want to visit or relocate to Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Anything you require, we can assist you with; for example, flights, accomodation, vehicle rental or purchase, national identity cards, resident permits, business registration, schools and more.
D.A.N.C.E also organises tours, events and dialogues. For more information about D.A.N.C.E, email pam@pa-virtualassitants.co.uk
WRITER, EDITOR AND PROOFREADER
I am an award-winning writer who has published six books of mine own and written five autobiographies as a ghostwriter. I absolutely love writing and editing and have over 20 years' experience writing, proofreading, and editing copy, scripts, speeches, doctorate researches, and other documents.
For seven years, I was a columnist for New African Magazine.
AWARDS
2023 Shortlisted, Services to Writing, BLAC (Bright Lights Award Ceremony)
2011 Winner, Best Journalist, Ghana-UK Society
2007 Winner, Best of the Best Presenters, MNet
DISCOVER AFRICA SERIES
A series of three bespoke books designed to introduce children (7+) and adults to history and African culture. Each book is unique, colourful, full of information and will keep you engaged as you stimulate your brain in an interactive and participatory activity.
African Countries Word Search - £8.75
Who says history has to be boring? With this puzzle book, history is made engaging and exciting as you learn about Africa before, during and after colonisation.
Is Africa One Country? - £7.50
A fact-file type of book that helps you to discover how many countries there are in Africa. You will also be introduced to different ethnic groups, languages, natural resources of each country, population, and so much more.
African Themes Word Search - £7.50
Discover African heros/sheros, inventors, breakfasts, names, types of drums, sports, main exports, food, fashion, dance, and more as you complete the puzzles in this book.
CULTURE, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION SPEAKER
Soft talks designed for the 7 - 15 year age bracket. Fun, interactive sessions that introduce young people to Africa past and present. Participatory with dancing and drumming in some cases!
TV
My TV career began at TV3 in 1997 when I was hired to co-present what went on to become Ghana's favourite entertainment show 'GoldBlast'. Other shows I am associated with are Talking Drum, Miss Malaika, Soccer Academy, Morning Ride, and Amazing Ghana.
I was head of entertainment at Metro TV between 2014 and 2016.
As well as working with local media houses, I was a freelance correspondent for Aljazeera and a field reporter for MNet's magazine show, Studio 53.
RADIO
On radio, I started as the presenter of the entertainment news on the breakfast show at Joy FM, in 1995. My career progressed as I went on to present the flagship breakfast show on Accra's prestigious Atlantis Radio. I also worked as a producer and presenter at Vibe FM, and Voice of Africa Radio (UK).
EVENTS AND VOICE-OVERS
As a result of my success on TV and radio, and my ability to play with my voice, I am often hired to host or co-host events and do voice-overs. I also develope ideas and content for events. No event is too big or too small. From corporate events to informal events to private events, I have years of experience of content development and hosting. I have hosted government functions at venues such as the State House and Independence Square, product launches and weddings at hotels, and large music concerts at sports stadiums in Accra and Monrovia. My personal favorite events I have hosted are John Legend and Luciano in Ghana, United Nations Peace Concert in Liberia, and Jo'burg Joy of Jazz Festival.
HIRE ME
To hire me to open doors for you in Africa, as your VIP chaperone, event host, ghostwriter, proofreader, editor or TEFL tutor, email akua@samanfo.com
Some Pictures From My Archives
TV, radio, and events over the years.
Travel & Tours
Tanzania Book Launch and Cultural Talks, Oct. 2022
Discovering Crafty Dee's in Dar-es-Salam was a great move. I love the place. The venue itself is cool, the location is easy to find, the food is so good, and the general ambience is lovely. If you are a beer lover, you must try their homebrews. I knew Crafty Dee's would be a great place to hold a meet&greet. I was not disappointed. I can't wait to return.
Ghana Book Launch, Sept. 2015
As a result of the popularity of my monthly column in New African Magazine, the owner of the magazine, Asif Ben-Yedder (and some readers) suggested I put my writings into a book. In 2015, I launched the first book, Reflections of An Ordinary African Woman, Vol. 1 at the British Council in Accra. This was followed by Vol. 2 in 2018. These are some pictures from the Accra launch.
What Ghanaians are saying on social media
