Three young Ghanaian photographers were honoured on July 30, 2025, at the National Heritage Photo Competition Awards held at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra. The event, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, encourages Ghanaians under 25 to use photography to preserve the country’s cultural identity.
Capturing Ghana’s Heritage
Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, applauded the winners for using their cameras to reflect Ghana’s story.
“You have not only shared your own stories,” she said, “you’ve also helped tell Ghana’s story.”
The winning photographs will become part of the national cultural archive to preserve their contribution.
Tribute to Daddy Lumba
The ceremony opened with a moment of silence for Charles Kwadwo Fosu, affectionately known as Daddy Lumba. Gomashie described him as “a true legend whose music became the soundtrack of our lives.”
Themes and Judging Criteria
Submissions highlighted themes such as festivals, crafts, historic sites, and rural life. Judges evaluated the photos based on creativity, technical skill, and cultural significance.
Government Commitment to Arts and Culture
Gomashie praised all participants and quoted cultural advocate Arnold Quanoo:
“Heritage is not what we inherit by accident, but what we choose to preserve with intention.”
She reaffirmed the government’s continued support for youth engagement in culture and the arts, under the leadership of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama.
Dignitaries Applaud the Initiative
The event drew several dignitaries, including the High Commissioner of Barbados, the Mexican Ambassador to Ghana, the UNESCO Country Director, and Dr Osmanu Damba, Acting Secretary-General of Ghana’s National Commission for UNESCO.
Dr. Damba, speaking on behalf of UNESCO, commended the Ministry’s efforts to connect cultural heritage with today’s digital generation.
“This is more than just a competition—it’s a way to share Ghana’s story with the world,” he said.
Award Winners Announced
- Caleb Vanderpuye – Overall Winner
- Kwabena Osei Asamoah – First Runner-Up
- Zeinab Abas Mohammed – Second Runner-Up
Closing Words
The ceremony ended with a strong message to young creatives: “Keep telling Ghana’s story—one image at a time.”