James Barnor Photos
Sick Hagemeyer shop assistant posing in front of the United Trading Company headquarters, Accra, 1971

Six-Region Tour Celebrates 95 Years of Ghana’s Iconic Photographer, Showcasing Emerging Talent

Accra, Ghana — March 17, 2025 — The James Barnor 95 Festival, in partnership with The French Embassy in Ghana and Alliance Française, today announced the national tour of Someone Somewhere Beyond: Photo Reportage from the 16 Regions, a groundbreaking photography exhibition originally commissioned for last year’s James Barnor 95 Festival. After its acclaimed 2024 debut, the collection now travels to six of those regions, beginning at international artist Ibrahim Mahama’s Red Clay Studios on 29th March, bridging generations by pairing Barnor’s enduring influence with bold new perspectives from 16 rising photographers.

Curated by cultural historian Menenaba, Someone Somewhere Beyond features one emerging artist from each of Ghana’s 16 regions, capturing everyday life through lenses shaped by Barnor’s revolutionary approach. From bustling markets to intimate rituals, the works celebrate both regional diversity and shared identity—a theme central to Barnor’s six-decade career.

“James Barnor didn’t just document history; he taught us to see the extraordinary in ordinary lives,” says Menenaba. “These photographers—whether consciously or not—embody his belief that every Ghanaian’s story deserves a spotlight. Their work is a living dialogue between past and present.”

The tour democratises access to art, with artists talks and workshops planned in universities alongside partner spaces. 2025 Exhibition Schedule

● Tamale (Red Clay Studios) – March 29 – April 30
● Kumasi (Alliance Française) – May 3 – June 3
● Bolgatanga (Craft Village) – June 14 – July 12

● Busua (Surf House Ghana) – July 19 – August 16
● Cape Coast (Alliance Française) – August 23 – September 27
● Accra (Alliance Française) – October 4

Why This Matters Now

As Ghana approaches the 70th anniversary of its independence, the exhibition underscores
how Barnor’s human-centered visual language continues to impact national identity by inspiring
a new generation of Ghanaian photography.

Tour Details & Accessibility
Running through October 2025, guided tours for students and seniors are available at all
venues.

Media Contact:
Barima Owusu–Nyantekyi
barima@barima.co | someonesomewherebeyond@gmail.com
High-Res Images & Artist Interviews:
Available upon request.

About James Barnor

James Barnor (b. 1929) is often called “the father of Ghanaian photography.” His work—from Accra’s first color photo studio to documenting Kwame Nkrumah’s rise—has been exhibited at Tate Modern and the Venice Biennale. The James Barnor 95 Festival (2024) drew over 10,000 visitors.