Ghanaian Photographer Wins $25,000 Prize for Best Photo of the Year

Ghanaian Photographer Wins $25,000 Prize for Best Photo of the Year

A self-taught photographer from Ghana, Michael Aboya, snagged the Best Photo of the Year 2019 award at the Agora Awards in Barcelona, Spain. His winning image, titled "Songs of Freedom," features boys enjoying music, earning him a grand prize of $25,000.

Aboya's captivating photo received over 500,000 votes after nine months of competition and more than 130,000 submissions from 193 countries worldwide. The 24-year-old's winning image, chosen from 50 finalists, depicts boys immersed in the joy of music in La, one of Ghana's oldest neighbourhoods in Accra.

The inspiration for "Songs of Freedom" came to Aboya while listening to Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song.' Afterwards, he gathered a group of kids at the beach to pose for the camera, capturing the most expressive among them as the focus of the image.

For Aboya, the award holds special significance as it symbolizes the years of sacrifice and dedication to his passion. His journey into photography began in 2014 when he faced adversity, losing his father and having to drop out of school. He used his tuition savings to buy his first professional camera and pursue his passion.

The prize money of $25,000 is a significant boost for Aboya, allowing him to invest in his photography gear, learn videography, explore new places, support his family, and contribute to the community.

Aboya's photographs aim to change perceptions of Ghana and Africa, showcasing love, peace, and harmony. He believes that telling stories through the lens of Black and Indigenous People of Color can present a different narrative to the world, emphasizing freedom from various forms of captivity.

The AGORA Awards, in its third year, is open to both professional and amateur photographers. It recognizes the single most-voted photo of the year, without specific genre categories.