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Last Sunday, history was made in Ho as we officially launched Playful Obscura — the very first Arthouse Games Residency in Africa. Hosted in our vibrant, artsy green city, this two-week residency is set to reimagine the boundaries between art, gaming, and culture on the continent.
Two exceptional artists — Joanna Oluoch from Kenya and Ebenezer Miracle Gyedu Apau from Ghana will spend the next two weeks experimenting with playful media and developing interactive game experiences that blur the lines between art and technology.
“I’m thrilled to be here,” said Joanna. “Ho is so full of creative energy — the people, the art, the landscape. It feels like the perfect place to dream big and push the boundaries of what games can be.”
A Vibrant Launch Event
The residency began with an energetic launch event that brought together a diverse creative community of artists, gamers, developers, and culture enthusiasts in the Node Eight Creative Community. Attendees interacted with the two resident artists and their mentor, Estelle Mmathapelo Makhoba from South Africa, a leading figure in Africa’s gaming scene.
“This residency is a game-changer,” said Estel. “Africa has so much untapped potential in the gaming and creative industries. Programs like Playful Obscura not only support artists but also put cities like Ho on the global map as creative hubs.”
The event was buzzing with conversations about the future of gaming as an artistic and cultural medium. New collaborations were sparked, ideas flowed, and the spirit of experimentation took center stage.
A Collaborative Effort
Playful Obscura is an initiative of Goethe-Institut, part of the Games Connect AFRICA project, and is delivered in partnership with A MAZE in Germany and Node Eight here in Ghana.
“We’re proud to support this pioneering residency,” said a Meli Mans of the Goethe-Institut in Ghana. “Our goal is to connect African artists with global networks, resources, and opportunities — and to see new creative voices emerge from programs like this.”
Ho at the Heart of Creative Innovation
For us at Node Eight, hosting Playful Obscura is more than just a project — it’s a chance to shape the future of Africa’s creative tech scene while spotlighting Ho as a center for innovation.
“ Hosting Playful Obscura in Ho is a milestone for Node Eight. We’re proud to give artists the space, tools, and community to experiment with gaming as an art form. Ho has always been a city of creativity and green beauty; now, it’s also a place where Africa’s next big cultural innovations will be born.” Added Brian Dzansi, the Executive Director of Node Eight, the host partners.
“As someone from Ghana, it’s exciting to be here in Ho creating something new,” said Ebenezer. “I hope to build a game that reflects both my personal experiences and the stories I’ve encountered here. The city has been so welcoming.”
Over the next two weeks, Joanna and Ebenezer will explore, experiment, and create — with our community and the world watching. We can’t wait to see the games and ideas that emerge from this residency.
About Node Eight
Node Eight is an innovation hub based in Ho, Ghana, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship, fostering digital skills, and driving community impact. We provide resources, training, and a collaborative environment for young entrepreneurs and innovators to thrive.
https://www.facebook.com/nodeeight
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