We visited the oldest photo studio in Ghana and this is what we saw

When Ghana became independent from British colonial rule in 1957, culture played an important role in the country’s unification, explains Kate Aku Tamakloe when met her in the beautiful photo studio decorated with black and white historic photos of Ghana.

Founded in 1922, Deo Gratias is the oldest photography studio still in operation in Accra. Deo Gratias is a Latin word which simply means "Thanks, Be To God"

It is located in British Accra popularly knows as James Town.

Deo Gratias’ archive tells of Accra as it began - a fishing village – and documents its early architecture and the growing modernity of its people.

Our guide is Kate Aku Tamakloe, one of the country’s most trusted and established curators. She currently owns Deo Gratias. Amidst excited talk of Ghana being in the throes of change, Kate decided to give us a tour of several photos displayed in the photo studio.

"This is my grandfather's studio. He was a photographer called JK Bruce Vanderpuije. I am literally taking care of it. He took all those pictures you can see around. You can't find these pictures anywhere else".

"Running the place has been a lot more expensive as compared to the patronage, however, I feel happy by the fact that a lot of people come here to appreciate our pictures which were taken as far back as 1922."

She tells that she gets more excited when older people come around and they are able to relate to the photos.

Around one corner was a neatly kept photo of Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah with his high school mates.

The historic pictures are not limited to local exhibitions only. Kate tells BI SSA that not so long ago, these archived pictures of Ghana were taken to Mali for display.

Kate is worried about the lack of appreciation for visual art and photography in Ghana.

"There is somehow a low appreciation for arts here in Ghana but I feel it is still catching up, she noted".

Life in Accra before and after independence in pictures

A procession of Gold Coast troops on Empire Day, 1930. Photograph: All images: Deo Gratias Studio

The Gold Coast central post office, Accra, 1930

A procession of senior students of the Accra Royal school during the Empire Day celebrations. In the background is the lighthouse, the Bible House, and the current M&G pharmaceutical company building

Achimota School Boxing club, 1933, photographed by Deo Gratias founder JK Bruce Vanderpuije

The Korle-Bu laundry

The central police headquarters of the motor traffic transport unit, on the corner of Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and Kinbu Street, 1935

Adorso House, Jamestown, 1929. The residence of the Vanderpuije family was also a popular spot for wedding photos

Colonial authorities and guests look on as competitors prepare to set sail for a regatta in James Town Harbour, 1960