So in 2015 something life changing happened;
I was on twitter one day and I saw some people joking about Africa (in terms of the stereotypes inflicted on us) and I was really tired, and frustrated.
So I gathered some friends and we started a hashtag called #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou to combat stereotypes by posting pictures of our cities in our respective countries and that of others as well, and also highlighting the culture as well as other things not shown (enough) by the news/media.
I went around Accra (Ghana) and took several pictures of different places and posted them under the hashtag along with my team of friends, and other Africans/tourists who joined and the joy people got from using it was so amazing and heart warming to see.
Then it took off to limits we never expected, weâve done interviews for some of the outlets in the screenshots, as well as many other online news/websites including BBC and an interview for Brussels Airlines which was featured in their brochure.
To top things all off, by Godâs amazing will and works, the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) was having their âBrand Africaâ Conference here in Ghana hosted by CNN And sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines.
I was asked to be a speaker on their panel and was also blessed to meet and talk to the Secretary General of the UNWTO Taleb Rifai (In the last picture) Since then Iâve wanted to be a photographer, artist and a journalist surrounding most of my work on promoting African Tourism or all things African.
Major point of this post is that, I want to continue to urge the Africans and African Americans to try as much as possible to come visit and see the stunning and amazing beauty for yourselves! Your continent of origin is a GREAT one. The hashtag is used mostly on twitter and on Instagram, but I implore you to check the pictures posted under the hashtag on Instagram.
Again, our continent of origin is a great one and so are we!
