Felicia Ewuraesi Abban (Nee Ansah), Ghana’s pioneering female professional photographer and former President of the Association of Professional Photographers Ghana, has passed away at the age of 87 in Accra.
Felicia Abban, born in 1935 in the Western Region of Ghana, hailed from a family deeply rooted in the photography trade, as her father was a photographer. Her journey into the world of photography began when she chose to apprentice under her father. Little did she know that this decision would lead her to become the official photographer for Ghana’s first Prime Minister and later President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
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The accomplished photographer, recognized for her classic studio and self-portraits, made history as Ghana’s first professional female photographer. SUNU Journal, a platform for African Affairs, Critical Thought, and Aesthetics, commemorated Felicia’s significance by sharing a throwback post on Twitter. The post highlighted her role as Kwame Nkrumah’s official photographer and showcased a portrait taken in her studio in Accra in 1966.
Felicia Abban’s professional career spanned five decades, during which she faced the challenge of arthritis. Her dedication and contributions to photography are exemplified by her long-standing collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah in the 1960s.
As the eldest of six children, Felicia began her photographic journey as her father’s apprentice at the age of 14 in Sekondi-Takoradi. Later, at 18, she moved to Accra, where she established her own photo studio as a newly married woman.
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Married to Robert Abban, who designed the fabric featuring Kwame Nkrumah’s portrait on flowers with the Ghana map for Ghana’s Independence Day celebrations in 1957, Felicia Abban left an indelible mark on Ghana’s photographic history.
Her private photo collection, often featuring self-portraits taken before attending events, remains a testament to her artistic legacy.
Plans to transform her studio into a museum in her honor were mentioned by ANO’s gallery in March 2017, showcasing the desire to commemorate the remarkable achievements of Ghana’s first female professional photographer.
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