Ghanaian artist and neuroscience PhD candidate KooKusi earns recognition from the EU co-funded CARE – Culture for Mental Health Project
A project inspired by a powerful Ghanaian story of resilience has found a new audience beyond Africa. KooKusi’s acclaimed EP, This Ability, has been officially selected for inclusion in the CARE – Culture for Mental Health Project catalogue, an EU co-funded initiative that highlights artistic works exploring health, well-being, inclusion, and mental health.
The selection places the Ghanaian musician’s work alongside a diverse collection of projects from across Europe that use arts and culture as tools for social impact. Through its network spanning nine European countries, CARE connects stakeholders from the cultural, health, education, and business sectors, promoting creative approaches to mental health awareness among young people, working adults, and people living with disabilities.
By joining the CARE catalogue, This Ability gains access to opportunities for presentation and circulation across European festivals, institutions, and cultural events, introducing its message to wider international audiences.
Released in September 2025, This Ability is the fourth project from KooKusi, born Nana Kofi Kusi-Boadum, and his third solo EP. The four-track project draws inspiration from the life of Emmanuel “Clock” Ekow Amoako, a Ghanaian basketball player, coach, and entrepreneur who lives with anisomelia, a condition that causes a difference in limb length.
Having first met Amoako during their university years, KooKusi has often spoken about the impact Amoako’s confidence and determination had on his own personal development. That influence forms the foundation of This Ability, a project that uses music, spoken word, and storytelling to explore themes of resilience, self-belief, and overcoming societal perceptions of disability.
Structured as a narrative journey, the EP begins with a choral reflection on their first meeting before progressing through spoken-word passages and an interview excerpt featuring Amoako himself. The project concludes with a triumphant hip-hop reinterpretation of its opening theme, symbolizing growth, acceptance, and victory over adversity.
This Ability continues a broader artistic and academic exploration that KooKusi began with his 2022 debut project, 5foot3. Each release in the series examines insecurity, identity, and mental health from a different perspective. While earlier projects focused on personal experiences, This Ability shifts the spotlight to another individual’s journey, transforming one person’s story into a universal message about resilience and possibility.
The project also reflects KooKusi’s unique position at the intersection of science and creativity. Alongside his music career, he is pursuing a PhD in neuroscience and has frequently advocated for the use of hip-hop and storytelling as effective tools for science communication and mental health engagement.
The CARE selection marks a significant milestone for This Ability, extending the reach of a project deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture, sport, and lived experience. What began as a local story of perseverance is now contributing to a broader international conversation around mental health, inclusion, and the transformative power of art.
As the project finds new audiences across Europe, This Ability stands as a reminder that stories of courage and resilience can resonate far beyond the communities in which they originate.