In this landmark debut digital issue of Guzangs, we ignite a fresh chapter in cultural storytelling. Leading our cover story is American football standout Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, whose on-field prowess is matched by his devotion to his Ghanaian heritage and can be seen evidently seen through his style cycle on instagram– boldly worn kente looks, embroidered dashiki styled with fila cap— it tells us everything we need to know, that beneath his game-day jersey, Jeremiah fuses ancestral craftsmanship with modern athleticism, embodying the conversation between past and present that lies at the heart of our mission at Guzangs.
Here, we flesh out the threads that tie together every element of this debut issue – why we chose Tamale, how music was a needed force in this creation, the art and design influences that shaped our pages, and the voices that guided our vision.
“When we started Guzangs, the goal wasn’t just to cover fashion, it was to shape the conversation,” explains founder Idelle Taye. “We wanted a space where African creativity didn’t have to explain itself or wait to be let in. Just truth, style, and perspective on our own terms.”
That founding principle guided every creative decision. From scouting locations in northern Ghana to sourcing garments from young African designers, the team committed to authenticity, showcasing craftsmanship, ceremony, and context side by side. And no figure embodied that ethos more completely than Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. In Idelle’s words, she adds, “Jeremiah isn’t just an athlete. He’s grounded, intentional, and clear about what he represents. Seeing him in looks by African designers styled by La Falaise Dion, shot by Gideon Boadi, on Ghanaian soil felt like the perfect way to begin.”
The theme for this cover was “Helmet of Heritage” which stands for: culture as armor, legacy as direction, fashion as voice, so it didn’t come as a surprise when editor Ekow Barnes chose Tamale for the shoot.
“Shooting our first Guzangs cover in Tamale was more than a milestone—it was a homecoming. On red earth and under northern skies, we created something rooted in story, strength, and style,” he says.
For Barnes, the collaboration with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was a powerful alignment of vision and heritage. Speaking on what went down during the shoot, he says “On set, Jeremiah’s regal bearing and deliberate presence brought to life the very essence of” a moment he also mentions was forged by a passionate crew, skilled local artisans and a collective conviction in storytelling that resonated.
Jeremiah’s fashion choices showcased his dual identity, athlete and proud Ghanaian. Headpieces by La Falaise Dion invoked northern Kufi hats, the bonze-cowrie details were also point and to add, we are definitely making a rundown on the designs he wore for the shoot.
During the curation of our debut cover, we had been in talks on how best to incorporate sound and curating a playlist for each story in our debut digital issue sounded perfectly. We wanted something that echoed the spirit of Africa, the bustling rhythm of contemporary afrobeat, afro rnb and amapiano, even beyond the old genre.
Here are the curated playlist by editors Ugonna-Ora Owoh and Ekow Barnes
Ugonna-Ora’s Picks
Ekow Barnes’ Picks
What Comes Next
Presenting this debut issue is just a cheers to new beginnings. We have always believed African creativity thrives when we give it full voice. And we did so in this debut; we let music inform our mood, we anchored fashion, art and design. Not forgetting that at the heart of it all is a figure whose heritage and ambition reflect our own mission.
As we turn these digital pages together, we invite you to listen, look, and discover. This is only the beginning. Welcome to Guzangs—where we weave, celebrate, and reimagine Africa’s cultural tapestry, one issue at a time.
