After a week of engagements with top brands, platforms, and fellow creatives at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025, Ghana’s own Chef Abbys is convinced of one thing: Africa no longer needs to tone itself down to be seen.

“The world is ready for authentic African stories, not watered down, but bold and real,” she shared in a reflective interview.

As the only African creator chosen by TikTok to attend Cannes Lions this year, Chef Abbys stood on global stages not just as a Ghanaian food content creator, but as a cultural ambassador.

Her storytelling, rooted in tradition yet visually modern, captured attention and sparked meaningful conversations.

She believes the festival proved something many African creators have always known: our stories are enough.

“Authenticity doesn’t mean staying the same — it means staying true, even when you evolve,” she said. “That was my biggest lesson at Cannes.”

But Chef Abbys’ reflections weren’t only about identity. Another key insight from her experience was the power of collaboration.

“Collaboration is powerful. We don’t have to do it alone,” she emphasised. “Cannes taught me that when creative minds come together — from different parts of the world — the results are magical.”

Whether she was speaking on panels, interacting with fans, or networking behind the scenes, Chef Abbys remained grounded in her Ghanaian identity while embracing global engagement.

Now back in Accra, she’s channeling her experience into mentoring other creatives, building her cooking community, and advocating for more African voices to be platformed globally.

“If Cannes taught me anything, it’s that we belong in every room, on every stage, and at every table.”

The Cannes Lions Festival is the world’s most prestigious event celebrating creativity in advertising, marketing, and communications.

It is held every year in Cannes, France, typically in June, and brings together professionals from brands, agencies, media companies, and tech firms.

AM/KA

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