Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Karen-Happuch P. Henneh is a groundbreaking Ghanaian artist and animation filmmaker. She is the Creative Director of KHPH Studios, an animation and multimedia production company, and the founder of Radiance Girl Africa Foundation, a nonprofit empowering women in STEAM. She achieved a significant milestone as the first female animator in Ghana to produce and premiere an animation film, “Abrefi Kɔtɔ,” with several sold-out screenings at Silverbird Cinemas. Karen is a passionate and resilient creative, carving her own path in the heavily male-dominated animation industry. Her work is an inspiration to aspiring animators, particularly young women, across Africa.
God inspires me most. The intricate, sophisticated world, from humans and plants to the universe’s vastness, reveals a creator. Believing I’m made in His image ignites my creativity, recognizing I’m designed to be a creative, just like my creator.
I don’t believe the myth that creativity, especially when it involves machines, techniques, and skills, is not for women, because knowledge and skill are not gender-specific.
My biggest achievement is producing ‘Abrefi Koto,’ Ghana’s first animated film produced and directed by a woman. Overcoming significant hurdles, its successful premiere marked a historic moment, demonstrating the power of storytelling and paving the way for women in animation in the country.
The unnecessary internal competition that plagues the creative industry. We should unite, sharing knowledge and resources, to collectively elevate African creativity on a global stage. Competing with the world, not each other, is how we truly thrive.