One year ago, on January 1, 2024, Ghana lost an icon and trailblazer, Mrs. Felicia Abban, the first professional female photographer in Ghana. Renowned for her stunning portraitures and known as “Ghana’s Woman Paparazzo” in her time, Mrs. Abban paved the way for women in a field that had long been dominated by men.

Opening her first photography studio in Jamestown, Accra, she quickly rose to prominence, even capturing the attention of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who hired her to document his travels across the nation. Her work remains a testament to her skill, creativity, and dedication to capturing Ghana’s history through her lens.

In March 2017, I had the incredible honor of meeting her during an exhibition in Osu, Accra featuring some of her work over the years. It was a privilege to witness her brilliance and hear her story firsthand—a moment I will treasure forever.

In 2019, her legacy was spotlighted at the Venice Biennale in Ghana’s first-ever pavilion, “Ghana Freedom.” Despite this global recognition, Mrs. Abban passed away without receiving the state honors she so deserved for her groundbreaking contributions to Ghana’s history and image.

As Ghana celebrates its progress with its first woman Vice President, may we take this opportunity to honor the countless women like Mrs. Abban who have broken barriers and brought global recognition to our nation. Let their names and legacies be preserved, celebrated, and etched in our history books for generations to come.

Rest in peace, Mrs. Felicia Abban. Your lens captured history; your legacy inspires the future.