Plight of “kayayei” depicted at photo exhibition

A section of the photo exhibits

 In an effort to improve the situation of “kayayei” also known as head porters, a researcher Rose Aba Dodd, a photographer, Nana Kofi Acquah and a writer Princess Umul Hatiyya put together an exhibition recently in Accra.

The photo exhibition dubbed, “the kayayoo rising “ was to depict the difficulties that women and girls between the ages of 12 and 40 face every day.

It brought together art enthusiasts and policymakers from around the world.

In an address, Nana Kofi Acquah said that the project’s goal was to draw attention to these women and girls’ predicament and raise mon­ey for their support through research, photography and creative writing.

According to him, ‘kayayei’ are frequently seen in well-known marketplaces in the Southern part of Ghana, especially at Kejetia, Malata, Madina and Dome.

Mr. Acquah said that the show accurately depicted the daily challenges of four young women namely Samata, Rukayatu, Naimah, and Za­harawu, working in the Madina market.

He said these head potters were tasked with providing for their families, but because there were few job opportuni­ties in their individual com­munities, they were forced to relocate to the south in pursuit of employment. Mr Acquah called on Ghanaians to visit the Nubuke Foundation and patronise the photographs to help support the kayayei.

He said although the exhi­bition had closed, proceeds from the sale of the photo­graphs would be used in sup­porting “kayayei” who were eager to leave the trade due to the dangers, such as health related issues. He therefore urged art enthusiasts and well meaning people to reach out to the Nubuke Foundation at East Legon, in Accra on www. kayayoorising.com or via email at info@kayayoorising. com.

 By Godwin Ofosu-Acheampong