Agnes Yaa Serwaa Somuah: Navigating Cultural Diversity

Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast

The subtle art of embracing cultural influences.
Bio:
Agnes Yaa Serwaa Somuah is the Program Manager of the Sinkunia Community Development Organization in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The organization designs programs for new immigrant children and youth from African countries and of African heritage backgrounds.
Originally from Ghana where she was a teacher, Agnes holds both Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in education. She came to Canada in 2008 and now works at Sinkunia, engaging children and youth in activities to build confidence and cultural pride. Agnes is a published author of 13 books, including nine children’s stories called “Akan Children’s Stories,” two stories about her personal life, and four plays in Akan. Last year, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Medal for community service.
In her spare time, Agnes enjoys spending time with her children, who range in age from 8 to 25 years-old, and her husband. She loves gardening and cooking.
Links:

• Agnes’ Children Books
• Agnes’ HIV Survivor Story

Quotes:
“Every day, I get a chance to just make a child smile, like all the smiles I missed when I was a child.”
“So many things happen to us when we are growing up, but it depends on you as an individual what you choose to do with it.”
Episode Highlights:
Agnes exemplifies the saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" by navigating and embracing the diverse cultures of Ghana and Canada.
Childhood Incidents:
Agnes grew up in a household where her father had three wives in constant rivalry with each other. As a child, she loved being at school more than at home because at home there was no time to play. Children always had responsibilities ranging from working on the farm and in their father’s stores to counting money from the store. Agnes vividly recalls organizing award shows for children in her neighbourhood using chocolates from her father’s store. One day, while visiting her aunt in Accra, she continued her award shows, and her aunt told her she would make a great teacher, though Agnes wanted to be a journalist.
Unlike many African compound families, Agnes’ dad always encouraged her to go to school and do her best to excel. Agnes never got close to her mother, a second wife in competition with the other women of the household. One thing Agnes learned from her mother was cooking, and believes her mother could cook a whole cow in 50 different ways.
Influential Groups:
Agnes learned communal living from her father, who united all his children. This influenced her desire to live with others when she moved to Canada. She wanted to be around people.
Cultural and Leadership Influences:
As a nanny in Canada, Agnes was supported by her employers to publish her books. She was surprised by the family's progressive views on parenting and their support for her dreams.
Personality and Temperament:
Agnes has an inside and outside personality. At home, she is quiet, contrasting with her public persona. Her quiet husband and their youngest child help balance her dual nature. She tries to blend Canadian ideas and opportunities with her own in raising her children.
Cultural Epiphanies:
Agnes was shocked by the prevalence of smoking in Canada, which contrasted with Ghanaian views on social status.
What Brings Out the Best in Agnes?
Being with people and feeling respected motivate Agnes to show up to work even on tired days. She also loves working with children, giving them the smiles she missed as a child.

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