FRIDAY WEAR……We Are What We Wear

The National Friday-Wear Program was initiated by then Ministry of Trade and Industry and Formal President Kufour in collaboration with the private sector, sets aside Fridays for all public officers and the private sector to wear locally designed garments. The programs ultimate objective was to promote made-in-Ghana goods and revitalized textile industry operations, and increases the demand for locally manufactured textiles particularly African prints.

Office Admin Doris Adams

Our self-image, self-esteem, self-confidence, and cultural identity are all projected in the clothes we wear. Most Ghanaians (AFRICANS) have serious issues with our self-image. We are excellent copy-cats! We copy mostly the western culture. While we pride ourselves with our cultural heritage, all the signs around us suggest strongly that we are voluntarily, happily, and quickly abandoning our culture in favor of a Euro-American culture. The message I took from the National Friday Wear Program resonate far from clothes and economics. If we don’t preserve our culture and African identity, WHO WILL!!!  

I personally love love the African print, I love how is no longer sown into a simple skirt and top, but now the young ladies and gents of this generations creating fabulous designs with it. I plan on sowing sh!t load of them, especially when the fabrics are so affordable.

So I decided to go around my office for two Fridays and capture some of my co-workers in their African Print for Friday Wear…………ENJOY THE PICS FOLKS!!!

Business Development Exec, Stephen wearing a long sleeve shirt in African print

Doris, Notice wearing a pencil dress with ruffle details, she has accessorize with a gold chain belt

Back view...lol

Eugene, Accounts manager, wearing 3 quarter sleeve ombre with gold details

Daniel, wearing a print with the first President of Ghana on it, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

David, wearing a jumper and down with gold embroidery. I believe is called "BuBu"

Pauline sales,  in her oversize shoulder dress......love the print

Emma HR, is wearing a skirt and top design

Rose PA, in a pencil dress with shoulder pipping

Emelia Accounts, is a wearing a simply collard blouse made from tie and dye material

Delong Events, is wearing a black bubu with yellow embroidery

JAMESTOWN also known as BRISTISH ACCRA

During this year African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2012), I had the opportunity to visit the historical district Jamestown aka British Accra, as my company screened all the matches for the residents of Jamestown. I was intrigue by my surroundings and the heavily British presence through architectural designs.

Located directly east of the Korle Lagoon, Jamestown is the oldest districts in the city of Accra, Ghana. The community emerged around the 17th century, It was heavily populated by British's.  The district was fully developed by the end of the 19th century, and following the rapid growth of the city during the 20th century.

Jamestown as the oldest part of Accra and remains an active fishing center. There is  a dense mixture of commercial and residential use.

Today Jamestown remain fishing a community inhabited primarily by the indigenous Ga.

Although in a state of decay following years of neglect by subsequent governments, the district is a popular tourist destination for those seeking to see the remnants of Accra's colonial past.

An enclave almost entirely inhabited by fishermen and their family, perhaps the most surprising aspect of James Town is its village-like atmosphere.

though Jamestown has been neglected by subsequent governments, the district is a popular tourist destination for those seeking to see the remnants of Accra's colonial past. The place has not yet been restored, so it is not typically highlighted on tourist itineraries. Despite this, for many visitors, it is one of the most memorable sights in the city. Jamestown is a short distance west from Independence Square; from the busy street the only real sights are the lighthouse, a prison building housed inside an old colonial fort, and the old Customs House.

I was taking in the view, the Atlantic Ocean. The thought that came to mind was, how if this was elsewhere the place will be developed into a nice resort town for tourist.

To your left is neighborhood of fishing folks

My coworker Nana Addo, who took the time out to show me around the district.

 ENJOY THE REST OF THE PICTURES........Accra Colonial Past...

Beachfront of Jamestown, can you picture this place being renovated into some 5star resort.

 The LIGHTHOUSE is in Accra "James Town " also known as British Accra.

Entrance of the Lighthouse

Inside the lighthouse

The tower itself is in a fair condition, as shown by the interior photo

View from the lighthouse. You can see the neighborhood, and on your right is a park(forecourt)

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS (AFCON 2012) SCREENING AT JAMESTOWN ACCRA

I work with a media group as a publicist. We own the number one sports station in Ghana Happy Fm 98.9. As part of the station's CSR initiative, we decided to screen all the AFCON 2012 matches at a historical place called Jamestown aka British Accra. Precisely at the forecourt of the Ga Mantse Agbona Palace.

THE AGBONA MANTSE PALACE IN JAMESTOWN

Football is the most popular sport in Ghana. Internationally, Ghana is represented by the male Black Stars.

The Black Stars team is one of the highly rated national football teams in Africa. Ghana has won the African Cup of Nations championships on four occasions. They also reached the last sixteen of the 2006 FIFA World Cup before being eliminated by the Brazil. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, they became the third African team in history to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. Some illustrious players have been Charles Kumi Gyamfi, Abédi Pelé, Abdul Razak, Tony Yeboah, Samuel Kuffour and Michael Essien.

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations was the 28th edition of the games. The competition was co-hosted in two countries; it took place in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon from 21 January to 12 February 2012.

A sea of people watching Ghana vs. Guinea Game......We won by the way!!!

More people holding on to their little hearts....as the BlackStars likes to give us mild heart attacks lol

The 2012 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations was one of the most politically charged sports events to take place, Libya (Libyan Civil War) and Tunisia's (Tunisian revolution) national teams qualified for the tournament despite a political backdrop which saw both country's autocratic rulers ousted from power. Players of the Libyan and Tunisian national teams had fought on the front line in their respective campaigns. The traditional footballing nations such as reigning champions Egypt (also affected by political events). Zambia took home the trophy, as they were so well deserving of it. Exactly 19yrs ago the country lost their entire team in a plane crash on their way to the Nations Cup.

Here are a few pics of the locals enjoy the matches. As you can see it was a packed park, it didn't matter rain or shine, people was out there religiously.

 Am still trying to find ways to edit my pictures, ie special effects, collage etc.....Its Hard y'all!!! Comments and ideas are welcome.

 

A YEAR AGO.....

Almost a year ago after soul searching for awhile, I decided to pack my life and move to Accra, Ghana. As cliche as it sounds, its being one hell of experience. I've had the opportunity to experience some great and not so great things. Like my favorite quote: SUCH IS LIFE!!!

SN: I plan to tattoo this quote inside my mouth.

I visited the beautiful Aburi Botanical Gardens one Saturday morning

The Aburi Botanic Garden is one of the most beautiful, peaceful and fascinating places in Ghana. Opened in March, 1890, and covering 64.8 hectares and overlooking the Accra coastal plain from an elevation of 370 to 460 meters above sea level, the Aburi Botanic Garden is a must experience for every Ghanaian as well as visitors to Ghana..