The maiden edition of the Accra Photo week has been launched to celebrate the talent, beauty and creativity of the photography industry.
The weeklong celebration themed: “The Outside Within”, commenced on Monday, December 9 and would continue till Saturday, December 14, 2019.
The event is being organised by REMEX Communications, a digital marketing agency that specializes in event management, public relations consulting, business development, among others.
Mr Derrick Nii Armah Tagoe, Co-founder and Head of Business at REMEX, said the celebration would put Ghana’s tourism in the spotlight and boost the arts and culture industry.
He thanked partners for their support in making the photo week celebration a reality and called on photographers and citizens to fully participate in the event to help raise the image of the industry.
Nana Kojo Antwi, also Co-founder and Project Head at REMEX, said the celebration would start with a two-day master class from Tuesday, December 10 to Wednesday, December 11.
The master class would feature four of the top photographers in Ghana such as Bob Pixel, Franklin Gyan, Ben Bond and Joseph Phloshop.
There would be an artist discussion on the same Wednesday at the Antique Lemonade to dialogue with photographers on the problems facing the industry and brainstorm towards possible solutions.
On Thursday, December 12, there will be a Photo Summit for all and sundry at the Impact Hub, Osu from 1000 hrs followed by a Photo Walk on Friday, December 13 from the Oxford Street to the Independence Square where the Festival of Lights will happen.
The celebration will be climaxed with a Photo Festival on Saturday, December 14 to outdoor photos taken by various Ghanaian photographers.
This will be followed by the Maiden Grand Pixels Photography Awards night to honor outstanding photographers
Mr Emmanuel Clottey, speaking on behalf Mr Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, the Accra Mayor, said the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is delighted to be part of the Accra Photo Week.
He said the various efforts by the Mayor has shown his love and support for the Arts industry.
Mr Clottey said last year, the Mayor, inaugurated the Greening and Beautification Project to enhance the greening of the City’s triangles and open spaces.
The AMA, he said, has also supported the “Charle Wote” festival to expand the economic value of the event.
He lauded photographers for highlighting the positive aspects of the city and urged them to continue promoting the nation.
Dr Dextdee Livingstone of the Association of Ghana Professional Photographers said it is important for all photographers to come together under one umbrella to draw strength and inspiration from each other.
He said the Association provided a platform for the concerns of photographers to be addressed by the necessary stakeholders and protect them against dangers associated with the profession.
Dr Livingstone, who is a Medical Doctor and a professional photographer, said the Association has partnered with an Insurance Company to insure the working years of its members and urged all photographers to register with them.
Mr Nana Yaw Kesse, a broadcast journalist, said the photography industry is a noble one, and urged members not to give up on the profession irrespective of the difficulties they face.
“Those of you in this industry are journalists in your right. Don’t think that because you don’t write for media houses, you’re not journalists. In fact, you’re better journalists than some of us because just by the press of the button, you tell the story better than we could ever do,” he said.
