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Painting with purpose: The journey of Anthony Jefferson Hanson
ANTHONY Jefferson Hanson is an award-winning Ghanaian artist and muralist whose journey reflects courage, creativity, and calculated risk. Known for his striking portraits, live paintings, and large-scale murals, Anthony has built a name for himself by daring to step into rooms where he was not invited—and leaving those rooms transformed.
From an early age, art was more than a subject in school; it was survival, identity, and ambition. While others were still deciding what they wanted to become, Anthony was already designing assignments for classmates and exploring different forms of visual expression. Graphic design, tattoo artistry, painting, and special effects makeup—he embraced them all. To him, art was never limited to one medium; it was a language.
Anthony, also known as Ashenso_gh, began his professional journey as a tattoo artist, viewing the human body as a living canvas. He approached tattooing not just as decoration, but as storytelling—a transfer of knowledge from canvas to skin. His skill quickly earned attention, and he went on to tattoo and paint for notable personalities.
But he wanted more than recognition; he wanted impact. His boldness often set him apart. On one occasion, he waited for hours just to meet a filmmaker, armed only with a sketchpad and belief in his talent. That single opportunity led him onto film sets, where he expanded his role into graphic design, poster creation, and special effects makeup, improvising materials when necessary and learning on the job. Anthony built his career not by waiting for perfect conditions, but by creating them.
A defining moment in his career came when he painted a portrait of then-Prince Charles during a visit to the United Kingdom. Years later, when Charles ascended the throne as King, Anthony resurfaced the artwork, which eventually gained attention and was presented as a congratulatory gesture from Ghana. What began as a personal artistic vision became a diplomatic cultural bridge. That moment underscored Anthony’s mindset: always think ahead. Always ask, “What’s next?”
His portfolio includes portraits of Ghanaian leaders such as President John Dramani Mahama, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the late Jerry John Rawlings, as well as international figures including Idris Elba. His murals and live art performances have taken him across borders. Whether painting in Miami’s Design District or exhibiting at corporate events tied to global brands, Anthony approaches every space with intention.
At one international exhibition, when fellow artists failed to appear, he stepped forward and created a spontaneous live painting linking Ghanaian culture to the host brand. The artwork was later transported overseas, a testament to both his preparation and instinct.
Behind the accolades lies a story of perseverance. Anthony speaks candidly about challenges, including financial struggles, rejection, and discouraging comments about his work. There were moments when his dreams seemed larger than his resources, and moments when critics questioned his direction.
“It hasn’t been easy; there have been demoralising words about my paintings,” he admits, but he chose to respond with discipline rather than defeat. He embraced competition, sharpened his originality, and remained humble enough to grow. For Anthony, humility is not surrender; it is strength under control.
Anthony believes that the true power of an artist lies in authenticity. He encourages young creatives to draw inspiration from their environment and culture rather than imitate trends. According to him, originality is what separates a good artist from a lasting one. He often describes talent as “grace”—a gift placed in one’s hands that, when nurtured with consistency and boldness, opens doors across industries and continents.
Today, Anthony Jefferson Hanson stands as more than a painter. He is a creative entrepreneur, mentor, and cultural ambassador. His dream is to see his works on global platforms, representing Ghana with pride and commanding international recognition. Through murals that transform public spaces and portraits that capture powerful personalities, Anthony continues to prove that art is not merely decoration—it is declaration.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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About 200 company secretaries, governance professionals and institutional leaders will gather in Accra for the ‘Company Secretaries Summit’ next month.
It is aimed at strengthening governance practices and enhance boardroom effectiveness across the country.
The summit, which is scheduled for July 16 at the Labadi Beach Hotel seeks to equip governance professionals with the knowledge, skills, and networks required to navigate the increasingly complex demands of modern corporate leadership.
It will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focusing on emerging governance trends, boardroom dynamics, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, and stakeholder expectations.
According to the convener, Catherine Engmann, the summit comes at a critical time when governance professionals are under growing pressure to support sound decision-making, strengthen governance culture, and respond effectively to changing institutional and regulatory environments.
“This gathering is not just another conference. It is a platform for governance leaders who are already operating at the highest level and intend to stay there,” she said.
She noted that the programme was designed to provide participants with practical tools, fresh insights, and valuable professional connections.
According to Ms Engmann, a major highlight of the event will be the awards ceremony, which will recognise individuals and organisations that have demonstrated excellence in governance practice and made significant contributions to improving board effectiveness and corporate accountability.
She mentioned that the summit will also offer participants an opportunity to benchmark their practices against industry standards, exchange ideas with peers, and explore innovative approaches to governance challenges.
Beyond the formal sessions, the event is expected to foster networking and collaboration among governance professionals, helping to strengthen governance practices across Ghana’s corporate and institutional landscape.
Speaking about the vision behind the initiative, Ms Engmann, said the summit was inspired by the need to create a dedicated platform that recognises the critical role played by company secretaries and governance professionals.
According to her, the Company Secretaries’ Summit and Awards reflects her conviction that Ghana’s governance professionals deserve an annual platform where they can engage in meaningful discussions, build strategic relationships, and receive recognition for their contributions to effective governance.
Registration for the summit, she said was currently open, with interested professionals encouraged to secure their participation ahead of the event.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
-1 cup dried soya beans
-4–5 cups for water (for blending)
-Extra water for soaking
-Sugar, honey or dates (optional, for sweetness)
-Vanilla extract (optional)
Preparation
-Pick through the beans to remove stones or damaged seeds and rinse thoroughly
-Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water. Soak for at least eight hours or overnight to soften it to blend easier
– After soaking, rub the beans with your hands as the skin begins to remove
– Removing the skins helps reduce the ‘beany’ taste and improves texture
– Put the soaked beans into a blender with 4–5 cups of clean water
-Blend until smooth and milky. (You may need to do this in batches depending on your blender size).
– Using a clean muslin cloth or fine sieve, strain the blended mixture into a pot. (Squeeze well to extract as much liquid as possible).
-The leftover pulp is called okara. Don’t throw it away — it can be used in baking, porridge, or even added to stews.
– Place the strained milk on medium heat and make it boil. Stir continuously to prevent burning or overflowing.
– Allow it to boil for at least 20–25 minutes. Proper boiling removes the raw taste and neutralises natural compounds that can upset the stomach.
-Once boiled a little sugar or honey. Pulse.gh
Health benefits of Soya beans
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