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Accra's Hidden Charms: Beyond the Tourist Gaze
15 Apr
Summary
- Photographer collaborated with locals for authentic self-portraits.
- Project highlights fishing community, traditional canoes, and pride.
- Exhibition in London supports an art center in Ghana.
Photographer Ron Timehin ventured to Accra, Ghana, to capture the authentic lives of its residents, showcasing aspects often unseen by tourists. His work focuses on a community centered around fishing, highlighting their traditional canoes, daily routines, and the strong sense of pride in their heritage.
Timehin emphasized a collaborative approach, allowing the community to present themselves as they wished. He documented their interactions, the pride of the younger generation, and their close-knit community spirit. This contrasts with his experience of urban detachment in London.
The project, initiated through a partnership with the charity My Runway Group for cultural exchange, involved documenting five communities. Timehin also facilitated a mobile studio for portraits that excluded environmental context.
An exhibition of these images is scheduled for London, with a portion of print sales dedicated to funding a local art center in Ghana. Timehin, who has family in Accra, aims for a follow-up project. He is shortlisted for the Sony World Photography awards 2026.
