Some of Ghana’s best-known musical names are opening their playbooks to the next generation. Juls, Gyakie and M.anifest will mentor emerging creatives at the Accra edition of Martell Swift Academy, and applications close on November 6, 2026, just days away.
Created by Martell and curated by Africa House, the pan-African talent development platform is built for emerging music creatives and professionals. It offers mentorship, practical development, industry access and collaboration. Applications opened on October 27.
The mentor network spans music production, artist development, visual storytelling, management, media, communications and cultural entrepreneurship.
The mentors
- Juls, the British-Ghanaian DJ, producer and songwriter, has worked with Burna Boy, Wizkid, Mr Eazi, Lauryn Hill, Stormzy and Sauti Sol. His own projects blend Afrobeats, highlife, R&B and house. He will speak on production, collaboration, creative identity and building a career across markets.
- Gyakie, the Ghanaian singer-songwriter, gained international recognition with her breakout single “Forever”. She blends Afrobeats, R&B and highlife, and will share her experience of artist development, audience building and moving from emerging talent to an international career.
- M.anifest (Kwame Ametepee Tsikata), the award-winning Ghanaian rapper, songwriter and producer, spent a decade in the US before returning to Ghana, where he developed his distinctive global sound. A multiple Ghana Music Awards winner, he has worked with Damon Albarn, Erykah Badu, Tony Allen and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
- Therese Ohemaa Akua Jones, a Ghanaian music executive and artist manager, has worked in brand marketing, artist development and creative strategy. She manages Ghanaian-American artist MOLIY and will cover management, career strategy and brand building.
- Maxwell Adjavon, music journalist, event curator and founder of the Accra-based music and culture platform iMullar, will speak on music discovery, cultural storytelling and building platforms for emerging talent. iMullar has created opportunities for emerging artists and DJs through its editorial, music discovery and events work.
What participants get
Selected participants will take part in practical learning, mentorship and industry access, with professional development support and a wider network of peers and practitioners. The programme will also give them chances to apply what they have learned, develop their work and build relationships that support their careers after the Academy.
