PORTFOLIO

COASTAL SLUM DWELLERS

This photo serves as a guideline, showing how the pictures are arranged in order.

The images in this portfolio were shot digitally on an Iphone and a canon 60D.

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 JAMES FORT.

Jamestown, a fishing community in Ghana, was named after the James Fort, built by the English in 1673
to serve as a trading post for both gold and slaves in Ghana. The James Fort served as a prison, keeping
our forefathers in servitude. The fortunate ones were traded and transported to America, while the
unfortunate ones were slaughtered like animals in this very building.

This is the beginning of my story about the people of James Town and Korle-Gonno.

Shot digitally on Iphone 11 with natural lights.

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 BEACHFRONT.

This is James Town's beachfront. As beautifully captured in this image, it embodies a variety of amusing
aspects, cultural issues, and economic problems. When you look closely, you can see a group of men
gathering their fishing nets in preparation for a fishing trip. You can also see different flags on the boats,
indicating the acceptance of people from all over the world.

Shot digitally on Iphone 11.

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 Where it started

Growing up as a child in James Town, bathing was generally done outside due to the absence of
washrooms and other social services. From a young age, you are encouraged to value your body and not
to be self-conscious about it. This explains why most people in James Town's beachfront area go
shirtless and occasionally pantless, leaving only their boxers on.

Though bathing outside in a bucket or pan may appear disgusting to an alien, there is actually a sense of
joy that comes when water from the bathing pail hits your vulnerable skin in the hot sun. The feeling is
indelible and compelling.

Shot digitally on Canon 60D, natural light.

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 TIRE RACING

Instead of playing with toys, coastal slum dwellers are forced to collect tires from broken cars. When I
was a kid, I used to enjoy "tire racing" with my friends and neighbors. Even though I couldn't play with
the expensive toys, the sensation of "tire racing" was euphoric and fulfilling.

Shot digitally on Iphone 11.

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 S33S3( BACKFLIP)

"S33S3," as the Ga word for "backflip," is a common skill among most kids in James Town. It is learnt by
first practicing "Aadomli" (flexing the spine backwards). The skill is achieved through constant practice
and failure. This teaches children from James Town to rise up when life knocks them down.

The background also tells a story on its own as the kids play soccer on the beach. This depicts the free
life of children in James Town

Shot digitally on Canon 60D, natural light.

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 ALICOTO (FORWARD FLIP)

"Alicoto" is a prevalent skill among the inhabitants of Korle-Gonno, just as "S33S3" is among the
residents of James Town. It is practiced by first learning "Aakumli" (forward flex of the spine).

After mastery of the "Alicoto," one is able to flip over 3 to 4 people on the spot. The "Alicoto" skill
teaches the people of Korle-Gonno to face problems head-on.

Shot Digitally on Canon 60D, natural light.

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 NSH))NA SISA(BEACH GHOST)

Is he dead? Is he alive? "Nsh))na sisa" is a popular game played among the James Town residents. This
game is played to mock death. As they have a festival called "HOMOWO,"(sprinkling of KPOKPOI), to
mock hunger.

They believe by playing this game, the person buried in the sand will never die an unusual death
because he will rise victorious from the sand, symbolizing triumph over DEATH.

Shot digitally on Canon 60D with no extra light or softbox.

(CHECK PARAGRAPH 2 OF MY COMMON APP ESSAY FOR MORE DETAILS)

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 FOAJEE (RUNNING)

Kids in James Town challenge each other to a 100m run along the shore. This game is played when
incentives (lollipops, biscuits, or toys) is promised to be given to the winner by an adult who acts as the
referee.

Shot digitally on iphone6, natural light.

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 The Finish Line

At James Town, children not only run but also swim. Learning to swim is a requirement in this fishing
community, and fathers are responsible for teaching their children. This is done by first sending kids on a
fishing trip and then dropping them into the shallow part of the sea as they approach the shore. You are
left there until you find a way to get the shore. By doing this James Town residents are forced to swim.

Shot digitally on Canon 60D, natural lights.

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 CHILD LABOUR

Childhood should be carefree, filled with fun in the sun and sand on the beach, rather than a nightmare
in the depths of the soul, as most children at Korle-Gonno and James Town go through.

Despite all the playful activities the children in James Town and Korle-Gonno engage in, the reality of
child labor still exist among these communities.

This image depicts two brothers who have been dispatched by their parents to collect coconut husks
from the shore, which will be used by their fathers to create fishing nets while their mothers tend to the
fish in the oven.

Shot digitally on canon 60D, natural light.

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 AFTER A LONG DAY

After a long day of play and vigorous activities, children in James Town and Korle-Gonno take a nap on
the beach to relax and catch their breath.

Shot digitally on Canon 60D.

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 COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This picture was taken during the pandemic lockdown to inspire hope for the people of Ghana.

Taking all the necessary precautions, we were able to realize this idea into something real.

As we are still battling this pandemic, this picture serves as a beacon of hope for a better future.

Team photography

Shot digitally on a Canon 60D, natural light.

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 GERMINATION

This photograph was taken with the intent of demonstrating the direct connection between the living
and the death. This communicates that life is only valuable while it is being lived.

Shot digitally on Canon 60D, natural light.

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 THE HORSEMAN

The man holding the horse by the neck in the sea is called the "horseman," a member of the Jamestown
community. He was giving this intriguing name because he always comes to swim with his horse.

This photo was taken during the time he was bathing the horse.

It communicates that animals are accepted and valued among the diverse community of James Town.

Shot digitally on Iphone6, natural light.

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 YAA (FISHING NET)

"YAA" is a Ga word for fishing net. As a fishing community, "YAA" is manually made by the fishermen.
The trick of making fishing net is passed down from Father to son.

Shot digitally on Iphone 11.

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 WOL33 TS3M33 ( FISHERMEN )

This photograph of Fishermen was taken in James Town to capture the beautiful sea life of the
community's fishermen.

Because they rarely get a piece of the national cake, artisanal fishing is common in this community.

They mostly start their own businesses without government assistance.

Team photography

Shot digitally on Iphone6, natural lights.

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 L3L33 EBA( THE BOAT IS IN )

The song "L3L33 EBA"(the boat is in) is sung to fishermen by their wives, who stand on the beach waiting
for fish to smoke and also hug husbands who have been on the sea for a while fishing.

These memories are always the best as it inspires fishermen to catch big fishes to bring home. The
bigger your catch, the more you get praise.

Team photography

Shot digitally on Iphone6, natural light.

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 DESCALING

The descaling of fishes is done at the beachfront in James Town and Korle-Gonno using the Stainless
steel saw-tooth fish scaler cleaner. This is done separately at a charge of 1 Ghana cedi per fish.

Shot digitally on Iphone 11.

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 FISH DRYING

Fish drying as a preservative method is done in James Town by spreading the fish on the pavement
along the streets. The Korle lagoon, which lies in the background, acts as a bridge between Korle -Gonno
and James Town.

Shot digitally on Iphone 11.

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 STREET VINTAGE

This photograph was carefully selected to show the diversity in my photography journey. To indicate
that whether it’s a beach shoot or street photography, I can do it all.

Shot digitally on Canon 60D, natural light.

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