Ghanaian photography Nana Kofi Acquah is bent on telling the African story in a way that would reorient people’s thinking about Africa.
In an interview with the CNN he intimated that he sees photography not just taking pictures but magnifying the great stories of Africa.
“I discovered photography when I worked in advertising. I have a painting background and so I was quite shocked at how naturally I took to photography. With mastery of the craft came a desire to use it for more than just making pretty pictures. At this moment in my life, my photography is about telling important stories that help challenge and hopefully change perceptions (of) Africa.
“The camera immortalizes anything you point it at, and that is a knowledge that motivates me. If I can point my camera at the people, the issues and the stories I deem worthy, the world has no choice but to pay attention. And with that attention comes opportunity to challenge or change people’s minds,” he said.
About Nana Kofi Acquah
Nana Kofi Acquah is a Ghanaian journalist, photographer, poet, painter, blogger and activist known for championing women’s rights in Africa; and also influencing and challenging perceptions on Africa mainly through photography.
In 1997, he joined Atlantic FM, University of Cape Coast as a Radio Presenter. This was where he got introduced to journalism, and upon graduation, he joined Skyy Power FM in Takoradi. He is still a member of the Ghana Journalists Association.
In 2008, Nana became the West African Regional Coordinator for the African Voices Project; a Dutch-funded project that recruited and trained citizen journalists on how to report using a Nokia N73.
Nana is part of Everyday Africa, an “Instagram feed that delivers fresh, insightful images daily that counter the crippling stereotypes that have long defined an entire continent’s image from the outside”.
Nana is a recipient of the Tim Hetherington Foundation and World Press Photo Fellowship for his work.
In 2016, his photo was part of the ten images presented in a handmade book as a gift from Instagram to the Pope at the Vatican; and he was recently listed by Shutterstock as one of the 100 photographers worth following on Instagram.
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By: ghanaweekend.com
