Born and raised in Milan, Italy, Joshua Kwaku Asiedu is the son of an Akwapim-Ghanaian father and a Neapolitan-Italian mother. He never felt at ease in the materialistic, consumerist, and Eurocentric environment of his upbringing.

At the age of 20, he decided to leave his hometown to embark on a solo journey of self-discovery and exploration. With just 50 euros and a one-way ticket, he ventured into the unknown, unsure of where this new chapter would lead him.

Joshua earned money through various means, working as an electrician, mason, model, retailer, waiter, co-chef, and in dairy and kiwi farming. He lived in diverse locations such as Greece, London, Sydney, Auckland, Cape Town, Los Angeles, and more. These experiences not only supported his travels but also deepened his connection with himself and nature.

As his journey progressed, Joshua began to move away from hostels, guest houses, and rental rooms, seeking rest instead in tents, temples, and the homes of newly acquainted individuals. He found solace in unconventional places such as caves, under the stars on beaches, and in forests. He explored awe-inspiring regions including the cold north of India, the arid landscapes of New Mexico, the Northern Territory of Australia, the Osaka Peninsula, the challenging Laotian jungle, and the vast Transkei.

Joshua began to practice and learn various disciplines through direct experience. He delved into mixed martial arts, the ancient Yogic path, and meditation in India. He explored natural building techniques in the Himalayan foothills and studied traditional farming methods on the island of Samoa.

He embarked on trials and experiences such as gathering his own food, foraging for fruits, berries, and mushrooms, and spearfishing in the oceans of the Polynesian islands. He engaged in periodic fasting, became adept at collecting natural drinking water, and enjoyed fresh baths in streams and rivers across diverse territories.

Traveling extensively, he used airplanes, trains, and buses, navigated between islands by canoe, covered thousands of kilometers by bicycle in Japan and Aotearoa, crossed Southeast Asian borders on foot, and trekked through the Himalayan range on his own two legs.

After seven years of profound and transformative experiences—exploring both modern and remote corners of the world, and living within a diverse range of social settings, families, indigenous communities, and environments—Joshua concluded that the modern Western world, with its focus on materialism, consumerism, and superficiality, is increasingly disconnected from Mother Nature, the true source of independence, freedom, and inner growth.

Determined to escape these societal structures and return to the simplicity and authenticity of nature, he began searching for a native piece of land to call his own. Through a rigorous and dedicated search, during which he tested various scenarios, Joshua discovered that his father’s ancestors had left plots of land as an inheritance in Ghana.

Reconnecting with the land where humanity itself began, and where the spirits of his ancestors continue to dwell in harmony with nature, he felt drawn back to the Motherland.

After months of research and expeditions, and with the support of his relatives, Joshua located the lands and began to settle in one of these beautiful, rural, and remote areas.

He moved into the jungle, a dense, overgrown, and uninhabited forest, with nothing but a mosquito net and a beach bed. Initially, he relied on packaged noodles and the fruits he foraged from the land. He soon began to dig a water well, build a couple of huts, construct a small toilet, and cultivate vegetables and trees.

As he adapted to the raw and challenging environment through trial and error, Joshua began to deeply connect with the land, both mentally and physically. He expanded his efforts within the natural realm and established connections with the members of the nearby village of Mankrong.

At this point, Joshua leveraged modern technology and social media to reach out to and inspire others who resonated with this lifestyle. As public interest grew, he began hosting small groups of individuals, supported by knowledgeable locals, to share valuable insights through various workshops and programs.

This experiential learning program in natural sustainability and indigenous knowledge has been beneficial for all involved: himself, his guests, the local community, and ultimately, ASAASE YAA.

In the Twi language of Ghana, Asaase translates to "Earth."

Asaase Yaa, also known as Aberewa or "Old Woman," is the great Female Spirit of Earth in the indigenous beliefs of the Akan people of the Guinea Coast (West Africa).

The Akan people regard the Earth as a female spirit due to its fertility and its power to give life. It is further personalized as a mother because human beings rely on it for their nurturing and sustenance.

Asaase Yaa holds paramount importance for the Akan, as it is through her, via libation and dance, that they connect with and maintain familial ties to their ancestors.