In Adabraka: ABROKWAH’s Angel

THE 3RD EYE STAY WOKE

Meet the talented Mr. KWEKU ABROKWAH. We met Abrokwah during the planning of the first CHALE WOTE Street Festival around this time – two years ago – in March 2011. Since then he’s joined the festival both years and has already started prep for a CHALE WOTE 2013 performance in James Town this September.

As the leader of The Flat Land Boys biker crew and Circus Ghana, Abrokwah is always able to give the people what they want – fresh killah moves. Not only is he king of extreme sport stunts but over the last nine years, he’s performed in Germany and throughout Europe as a cultural dancer, B-boy and circus entertainer.

We shot these snaps on the streets of Adabraka, that pearl of old Accra where Ga business elite and middle-class families historically settled. In this setting, Abrokwah’s affable spirit branches out just as wide as his angel wings.  Ever ready for the next challenge, he inspires us to keep our eyes on the prize.

Check out Abrokwah’s journey below – in his own words. MO VIM.

Photos by ACCRA [dot] ALT [double-click to enlarge].

ABROKWAH’S ANGEL IN ADABRAKA

During my childhood, I went to school at Korlegonno. I saw lots of bicycles – people arranging bicycles. Through that I had a feeling – I fell into a bicycle feeling. I started in 1989 after discovering a famous handbook on biking. There was no Internet in Ghana at that time. I taught myself the different tricks – training one one at a time.

ROBOT SKYFALL

The Adabraka Sessions pt. 3

And the fotos keep coming…check out more street style in Adabraka and our ACCRA [dot] ALT team’s take on life and dreams in the city.

Double-click on photos to enlarge. All photos taken by ACCRA [dot] ALT.

GOING TO THE GO-GO

STOP. NOW GO.

ABASS ISMAIL [Cinematographer/Photographer]:

“Accra is a place that is not so easy for some people to live. You’re living without a place or a car, you have to be struggling for troski. It’s not that easy to get a place for yourself in Accra.”

DEAN OSEI [Intern], right:

“My Accra is a place where everything is possible. Accra is a place where young, vibrant people from all over Ghana come to settle and achieve their dreams. It’s also challenging. Despite the challenges, it’s a place where you can succeed if you are really determined.”

ABASS:

“We’re sick and tired with the lights on and off. And water…for my place the water’s off for like three months before they bring it back. So we are sick and tired of those things. In Accra, it’s easy for some to move forward. Those who have the money, water and lights on in their house, they don’t care about the others struggling.”

FOTO VIM: The Adabraka Sessions pt. 2

Check out more fotos of the ACCRA [dot] ALT crew on location in the beautiful historic neighborhood of Adabraka. The team breaks down their take on Accra and their inner visions for life in the African city.

Double-click on photos to enlarge. All photos by ACCRA [dot] ALT.

O RED, U GO KILL ME

3 WISE MEN

AFUA ASONA [Design Contributor]:

“Everything is in Accra. I think we’re having a peak of it now – a taste of 60’s and 70’s [U.S.] where people are moving back to being natural.”