About Awo
Awo Institute is an institute within Dikan, based in Ghana. We preserve African archives and knowledge through the care of materials and the histories connected to them.
Our purpose
Preserve knowledge across generations.
Knowledge is carried in speech, song and memory, as well as in written, visual and recorded materials. Preserving it requires attention to both the record and the circumstances in which it was made.
We collect and document archival materials, care for their condition, and teach practical approaches to preservation. We work with individuals, families, communities and organisations that hold records of African life and history.
Our name
The grandmother as storyteller, teacher and guide.
Awo draws its name and inspiration from the grandmother: a figure of wisdom, spiritual strength and responsibility for cultural knowledge.
Through stories, teaching and everyday guidance, grandmothers help younger generations understand where they come from. They pass on memories, traditions and values while helping families make sense of change.
This understanding of Awo shapes the institute’s identity. It asks us to listen carefully, respect the people connected to a collection, and preserve the context that gives each record meaning.
What we care for
Our work includes photographs, letters, personal and organisational papers, books, sound recordings, moving images and digital records.
Each collection has its own condition, history and needs. We begin by understanding what is held, how it is kept and what its owners or custodians want to achieve.
Awo within Dikan
Awo’s preservation work forms part of Dikan’s wider commitment to education, culture and knowledge.
For enquiries about consulting collections or research access, visit Dikan Library & Archives.
Dikan Library & Archives