Photos from Ghana's Oil City- Takoradi

This post is not going be full of wise quotes from the streets of Takoradi like the Accra one was. Takoradi is a totally different specie of animal and requires a different method of dissection.
Takoradi
Yesterday, I decided to go to Takoradi by public transport. Just when I was getting comfortable in the air-conditioned Yutong bus, the woman sitting across the aisle from me gently unwrapped her ball of Ga kenkey, pepper and freshly fried fish and started masticating gracefully. The bus smelled like my grandmother’s kitchen for a long time.
Takoradi
We were about to take off, when a preacher got onboard and decided to speak on the theme: “Marriage and the legacy of fornication”. It was quite a challenge listening to a brimstone and fire sermon. I forgot the bus smelled like kenkey a few minutes before. Now it smelled of fury.
Takoradi
I worked in Takoradi approximately ten years ago as a radio presenter on what was then the biggest, most vibrant news and entertainment channel of the whole western region.
Takoradi
Today, Skyy Power FM is just one of the eleven competing radio stations… and even the BBC has joined the race with their own channel. You wonder why the boom? Well, the answer is O (Oscar) I (India) and L (Lima)… OIL.
Takoradi
Takoradi is the belly of one of the Africa’s biggest oil discovery of the last ten years. When I lived here, the city was known for its music, a genre called Western Highlife, its seamen, its port and its women. Now, the only language on everybody’s lips is… oil.
Takoradi
These photographs are part of what will be a continuing series of attempts by me to document this fast changing landscape.
Takoradi
What will it be like in ten year? Twenty years? Fifty years?
Takoradi
Takoradi
I have no idea… but if God blesses us with long life and passion, we shall discover together.
Takoradi
Takoradi
Takoradi

Comments

Anonymous said…
I love the photo's. What stadium is that?
Hey Anon, that is the Esipon Stadium and it is located in Sekondi. You know Sekondi and Takoradi are twin cities right? Most people use them interchangeably and I wasn't ready to make a distinction.
Fiona Leonard said…
Wouldn't "The legacy of fornication" be a great name for a band????

enjoyed your commentary on these photos. Fascinating take on the changes happening in Takoradi.
Shawna said…
Beautiful photographs!
Anonymous said…
Hi Keep it up
if you could post pictures of new construction and project activities , it would be great
Unknown said…
Very nice photos from Takoradi... Did you by chance hop on a "choppa" for some of those photos?
Hey Mac- Jordan, I'm glad you like my photos of your new city. No, not a "choppa", they were from a airplane. A "choppa" would've been nice though
Fayelle said…
Wow, these are great! I love how brightly colored the playground equipment is... so much prettier than here! And those aerial shots are amazing!
Devin said…
Hi Nana Kofi,

These are wonderful! I'll be traveling to Ghana where I previously worked on a documentary film and portrait series about Bui Dam. I hope to travel to Takoradi / Sekondi to do some work surrounding the oil boom this time around. Do you live in the area or have any contacts within the industry that might be interested in meeting a travelling Canadian photographer? My website is devintepleski.com and I can be reached at dtepleski@gmail.com. I hope to hear from you. Keep up the good work!
Hi Devin,
I just sent you an email. Keep up the good work
eric said…
am surprised a less prosperous town like Koforidua is more finer than Takoradi. Government really need to speed up development there fast. Untarred streets and all that. Anyway U are doing a nice job though. keep up

Popular Posts