Akua Boatenmaa: It’s photography or nothing

Photography, over the years, has been the reserve of men but in the past few years some women have tried to defy the norm. One such person is Akua Boatenmaa Adjei, Chief Executive Director of Akiboat Impressions.

For her, photography is a lifestyle and a hobby - a dream she never wants to end. She has had the opportunity to take pictures of some of Ghana’s finest stars and couples and the smiles that adorn their faces when she presses the shutter gives her all the satisfaction and fulfillment she wants.

Speaking to the Weekend Finder on how the journey begun, Akua said “when I was a child, I was a photo freak popping into pictures for which I wasn’t invited. And when I grew up I started roaming from one studio to the other taking photos of myself. Then I got a camera phone and all I did what taking photos left, right, centre.

“But at a point in time when I took various shots of my pregnant auntie, the baby when she delivered and even when the baby started to crawl and walk, then it dawned on me that it wasn't just pictures but keeping memories for years to come”.

She said she actually noticed that she wanted to do photography when she realised she hated her job; journalism. She told the paper that even though journalism was her dream job, she realised it was not satisfying enough, adding that for months she did not wake up looking forward to go to work.

“I needed satisfaction and fulfillment and I was not getting that in my journalism work. I was extremely disappointed because I went ahead to have formal training in it. I was happy seeing newscasters on television and, honestly, their field reports fascinated me.

“In the initially stages I had an agreement with a friend overseas, who pre-financed the photography project so I could pay back later. After three years of sacrificing my time and talent to build the business, there were breaches and misunderstandings, so I bowed out with absolutely nothing but my name.

“Disappointed and discouraged, I virtually stayed indoors for almost four months. I prayed and cried to God and the Good Lord finally opened another door for me. With the support of my family and partner, things began to move in the right direction.”

Throughout the hard times, Akua said she was motivated by her passion for photography and the will to succeed against all odds.

Akua, who can also be described as a “runaway nurse”, said she had to go to a nursing school her mother registered her into prove to her colleagues and community that she was not a failure.

But after barely one week, she packed her bags and went back home because clearly, that was not her calling.

Aside photography, Akua also has a soft spot for children and the aged and it is, therefore, not surprising that she has been supporting at an orphanage as Asebu with her close friend, Mame Esi Mensah.

“When I was in my second year in school I had a strong force pushing me to help the needy. I already had a soft spot for kids and the aged so my friends and I made plans of looking for an orphanage to visit one Easter break.

“Unfortunately when the time was due, only one of my four friends showed up and that was Mame Esi. We left and saw an orphanage where we stayed for the night and returned with a promise of going back. After school, I was hosting a show on Top Radio on Sunday mornings but I was bent on going to be with kids so a day after submitting my project work, I set of with Esi to stay in the orphanage and we have never looked back since then.”

For months she had to shuttle between Accra, to host the show, and Asebu, to be with the kids. Friends at the time thought she was been stupid but her mother supported her with money to survive there till her National Service posting was out.

“Through that inspiration, we have formed the Haven Harbour Foundation which helps the needy in all angles. Presently, we have six kids in school and we take care of from our own pockets. We used to pay the fees with our national service allowance”.

On November 15, Akua graduated with a BA in Communication Studies a decision she said she took because her mother wanted to see her wear an academic gown. “I got a degree just to make my mother happy.”

“A day after my graduation I had two job offers - from one big media house and another from a renowned bank but I said no. Why? Because I didn't go through all these tough times to work to build someone’s dream.

“So I've decided to give my certificate to my mum for keeps and work hard to build my own brand. My ultimate goal is to have an advertising agency. So I'm going to work hard at it and I know with God all things will come together for my good.”

As part of her pastime, Akua loves to watch television and relax in her couch. Her favourite place, she said, is her bedroom. “It's my haven and, yes, I love to sleep a lot”.