Foster’s World: Seeing Ga Mashie from Child Perspective

Foster Malm, 13, moves through one of Jamestown’s bustling markets with remarkable ease. Black iPhone covertly at the ready, he shoots off the hip, capturing unexpected market-goers moving through daily life. Although barely audible over the usual market place chatter, the camera shutter sounds off like rapid fire: close-ups of fresh tomatoes and onions, action… Continue reading Foster’s World: Seeing Ga Mashie from Child Perspective

“Making space for history” in Accra’s Ga Mashie neighborhood

Cultural tourism walks a precarious line. Private sector investments can generate significant socio-economic benefits for community members and revitalize cultural interests. On the other hand there are many opportunities for exploitation— interest groups stand to profit from over-development, pricing out existing low-income residents. As the growing number of arts, culture and touristic activities in Accra’s… Continue reading “Making space for history” in Accra’s Ga Mashie neighborhood

Re-imagining Accra’s “public spaces”

What if we let go of the limiting idea of our public spaces as “city parks” and began exploring the entire range of social spaces that already exist in the city? This is the first in a series of posts.  Talented architects, designers and public space practitioners, green space enthusiasts, and everyday citizens dream of… Continue reading Re-imagining Accra’s “public spaces”

A PARK(ing) Day in Accra, Ghana: Transforming car spaces into people’s spaces, for a weekend

Here in Accra, Ghana, PARK(ing) Day came a little bit early this year (around the world, it’s to be celebrated on September 20th this year). But the essence of what we celebrated and promoted — transforming a car park into a people’s park to demonstrate the importance of public spaces, community activity and recreation —… Continue reading A PARK(ing) Day in Accra, Ghana: Transforming car spaces into people’s spaces, for a weekend

Reblog: In Accra, an art festival capitalizes on streetscape as public space in Jamestown

“In Ghana, what attracts people to places isn’t the [physical] space, it’s the event,” a friend said to me in conversation a few weeks ago. I was reminded of his words this past weekend, standing at the triangle-shaped Otublohum Square in Jamestown. As I watched, bike stuntmen paraded up and down High Street, doing tricks… Continue reading Reblog: In Accra, an art festival capitalizes on streetscape as public space in Jamestown