Benjamin Adjei Abayie: Ghanaian documentary and editorial photographer preserving cultural memory

Benjamin Adjei Abayie (PAAKOFI) is a self-taught photographer and visual storyteller based in Kumasi, Ghana. His work is rooted in place and memory, drawing inspiration from the stories, faces, and communities that shape his region.

Focused on preserving cultural memory, Abayie uses photography to reflect on the past — reviving old moments and transforming them into meaningful visual narratives.

His style is deeply connected to location, aiming to connect each image with the place it was made to create a powerful sense of identity and belonging.

How did you get started in photography?

I started photography by simply capturing moments with friends and loved ones on my phone. Over time, I realised how meaningful those moments were, and that pushed me to take the craft more seriously.

That feeling inspired me to start documenting my city, the people around me, and our culture and traditions. From my perspective, it is about preserving what is happening today for the next generation — telling real stories through visuals and editorial work in a simple, honest way.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a vessel for the unspoken rhythms of Kumasi — a free spirit wandering the intersection where good music meets the gaze of a stranger. I don't just walk through spaces; I listen to them, letting the soul of the city dictate my pace.

To me, every new face is a story waiting to be uncurled, and I am simply the person who shows up, stays present, and lets the honesty of the moment speak for itself.

What are the main themes that inspire your photography?

I focus heavily on location and the spaces we live in today. I connect my work to these places so that people who have moved away can still feel a sense of connection through the stories I tell. I also like to revisit and recreate past moments, bringing them back to life through meaningful visual narratives.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

Working with Julian Thomas, Renaud Jacob, and Boakye Yiadom Roland on the UBUNTU project. It was a great experience for me; the level of professionalism and the way I was treated stood out. They believed in me, and together we created something truly special.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer?

My greatest hurdle hasn’t been a lack of vision, but the weight of an empty hand. For a long time, I moved through the world with a shutter in my mind but no camera in my grip, watching vital stories and transformative opportunities — those raw, unpaid moments where a soul truly grows — slip through my fingers like sand.

It is a quiet ache to see a narrative unfolding in the Kumasi light and have no vessel to catch it; yet, that very hunger is what sharpened my eye, teaching me that while gear is a tool, the fire to document our heritage is what truly makes the image.

What type of photography do you specialise in?

I specialise in documentary, visual storytelling, and editorial photography. I am drawn to this style because I believe it is important to document the present for the next generation — it is my way of keeping records through images.

Over time, my style has grown to focus more on telling deeper, more meaningful stories, using visuals to capture real moments and emotions in a simple and honest way.

What is your primary commercial niche?

My work breathes at the crossroad of high-concept fashion editorial and the raw, unscripted pulse of street documentaries. I don’t just capture clothes or crowds; I translate the elegance of our identity into visual anthems, finding the couture in the everyday and the history in the hemline.

Whether it is a curated set or a chaotic corner of Kumasi, my niche is the honest storytelling of the African soul.

What is your unique technical or visual approach?

My approach is centred around simplicity and storytelling. I focus on real moments, natural light, and the environment to create honest and meaningful images.

I pay close attention to location and how it connects with the subject, using that to tell deeper stories that people can relate to — especially those who have lived in those spaces before.

My work is more about feeling and connection than perfection, creating visuals that feel real and timeless.

Which global brands, photographers, or industries do you feel your work aligns with most?

My work aligns mostly with documentary and editorial photography, especially photographers and creatives who focus on real stories, culture, and human connection.

I am drawn to creatives and platforms that value honesty, culture, and storytelling — using photography not just to capture images, but to preserve meaning and history. Therefore, I am open to any brand or photographer who is also interested in my work.

How's the photography and art space in Ghana?

In my heritage country, Ghana, the photography and art scene has grown significantly in recent years. There is now a stronger interest in visual storytelling, especially among young creatives who are using photography to document culture, fashion, music, and everyday life in a more intentional way.

Social media and digital platforms have also helped the space evolve, making it easier to share work, connect with other creatives, and gain international visibility. Even though there are still challenges like limited resources and funding, the community is becoming more active and collaborative.

Overall, it is a very exciting time for photography and art in Ghana, with many new voices and perspectives shaping the industry.

What is one professional standard you never compromise on?

Authenticity. I always make sure my work stays honest and true to the moment I am capturing. Whether it is a portrait or a documentary project, I focus on real emotion, real stories, and real environments without forcing or over-staging anything. For me, the integrity of the story is more important than anything else.

What do you think of the 54Ruum platform?

54Ruum is a sanctuary for the African gaze. To me, it feels like a bridge built between the stories I capture in the quiet corners of Kumasi and a world that is finally learning how to truly look at us.

It provides the structural backbone that independent storytellers like myself often lack — transforming our raw, individual perspectives into a collective, formidable archive of continental memory. It is the soil where our heritage is being replanted to grow for a global audience.