A powerful fusion of youthful creativity and cultural storytelling took centre stage as three young photographers were honoured at the inaugural National Heritage Photo Competition Awards, a new initiative aimed at celebrating Ghana’s rich traditions through the lens of emerging talents.
The awards, championed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, in collaboration with UNESCO, spotlighted the creative power of visual storytelling and its role in preserving Ghana’s cultural identity. The competition specifically targeted Ghanaians under the age of 25, pushing them to engage with heritage beyond textbooks and oral tradition.
The first-ever edition of the competition crowned Mr Caleb Nii Addo Vanderpuije as the Overall Winner for his striking image of a historic moment — the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, exchanging greetings with Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, during a rare royal encounter in Accra. Vanderpuije received a camera and tripod as his prize.
“I took that picture because it was a historical moment,” he shared. “This isn’t just about taking pictures. It’s about creating visuals that preserve and promote our culture. Winning this motivates me to do more.”
Mr Kwabena Asamoah Osei, the First Runner-Up, and Miss Zainab Abass Mohammed, the Second Runner-Up, were also celebrated for their compelling cultural entries. They both received Samsung cellphones and tripods to support their budding photography careers.
But beyond the individual recognition, the event marked a symbolic shift in how cultural heritage is being embraced by the youth — not merely as history to be remembered, but as a living experience to be captured and shared in real time.
In her address, Madam Gomashie emphasized that the awards were part of a broader government strategy to harness creativity for tourism, education, and economic development.
“We believe that the creative arts are not just a form of expression, but a powerful tool for transformation,” she said. “The images displayed didn’t just show talent — they told stories, evoked emotion, and preserved our heritage.”
She added that the winning photos would be enshrined in a national collection, immortalizing the contributions of these young talents in Ghana’s cultural archive.
UNESCO Accra Director, Mr Edmond Moukala, commended the initiative and urged young Ghanaians to continue being “active custodians of our heritage.”
“Heritage is not static — it evolves with time and with those who choose to preserve it. When young people embrace it, they bring fresh perspectives that keep traditions alive,” he noted.
The competition is expected to become an annual platform for discovering fresh talent and deepening youth engagement in cultural preservation. For now, the powerful images captured by these three emerging photographers serve as a testament to what happens when history meets vision — and the lens becomes a bridge between generations.
