Mohamed standing by one of his graffiti artworks in Nima
Fifteen Ghanaian artists, 15 genres of art and 15 different media, with one goal; use artwork to contribute to the fight against open defecation.
The artists selected across the country will be talking about ‘Sh*t’ through their various artworks all aimed at creating a buzz around the issues pertaining to open defecation and how communities can work together to solve the menace.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) sponsored, Alliance Francaise project on ending open defecation, “Let’s Talk Sh*t’ project, chose this group of unique and talented artists in its latest campaign on ending open defecation in the country.
The project is to show how visual art can make a contribution in raising awareness on social and public health issues.
Let’s Talk Sh*t
Fabrice Laurentin, communication expert with UNICEF, says the organization chose to support the ‘Lets’ Talk Sh*t’ project to arouse the interest of communities in dealing with open defecation, which is widely practiced in the country, through the artworks that will be produced.
He says, ‘UNICEF is using the word sh*t and people are shocked but what is shocking is that 5m people do not have toilets in their homes or 2 out of 5 basic schools do not have access to toilet and water in the Ghana.
So we wanted to create something that will interest people and help people to know about the programme to generate more interest in ending open defecation’.
He says the objectives of let’s talk Sh*t is to create a buzz around the issue pertaining to open defecation.
“People should talk about it, make the issue more public with the support of the media; create a dialogue with the communities using visual arts by exhibiting the pieces of art to people in their communities,” Fabrice says.
Sanitation In Ghana
One in five Ghanaians have no access to a toilet and defecate in the open, with open defecation rates over 70% in Northern Ghana, reflecting significant national inequalities.
UNICEF data shows that only 15% of Ghanaians have access to improved sanitation with less than 15 per cent of household have hand washing facilities.
According to 2015 JMP, Ghana has been ranked 7th with the lowest sanitation coverage and it will take the country 500 years to bring an end to free ranging or open defecation if efforts are not accelerated.
However, proper sanitation practices like hand washing can reduce diarrhea and pneumonia by up to 50%. Improved sanitation can also reduce diarrhea rates by 36%.
Artists Share Creative Ideas
Prior to the exhibition which is in a few weeks, a group of journalists had the opportunity of visiting the artists at their work place to interact with them and pick their minds on the artworks they are producing for the project which will end in an art exhibition at Alliance Francaise on 28th September, 2016.
Six artists producing very interesting visual artworks in Accra and Koforidua were visited by the journalists, representatives of Alliance Francaise and UNICEF.
Unique in their own art forms, the artistes explained to the group their concept for the project and what they intend their work to achieve in helping bring open to an end.
The Power of the ‘Stool’
Nana Afari Darko based in Koforidua is a sculptor, working in the installation industry. Being a graduate from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, (KNUST), Nana Afari says he uses his artworks to question social norms and generate discourse that seeks to bring social change.
“Art can also play a role in our developmental process and this is what I am doing,” he says.
For the Let’s Talk Sh*t project Nana Afari’s work will look at the role traditional leaders can play in ending open defecation in communities.
He states that his interaction with people in society revels that most people believe their leaders need to take the lead in addressing issues like open defecation in the country.
“Mostly in traditional setting we see the seat as the tool of power so I’m welding a stool that is fused with a toilet seat.
Nana Afari Darko showing what his artwork will look like when finished
In other words am combining the two aspects together to tickle the interest of leadership and influence that traditional authorities can have on the construction and use of proper toilet.
Although it might look like a ridicule of their power, I want to draw them into the discussion of open defecation so they can lead the process of address the issues of open defecation in the community,” he explains.
Nana Afari believes his work will generate the needs buzz among traditional leaders in the fight against open defecation.
Sh*t In the hole
Kwesi Botchway, a contemporary artist who uses painting as his medium of expression lives in the neighborhood of Nima, a suburb of Accra.
Kwesi believes the expressions on the human face can send strong messages to the world and thus focuses on painting such images in a creative way that talks about different issues in society.
His work titled ‘Sh*t in the hole’ talks about the bad state of public toilets in communities which deter people from using the facility and thus opt for open defecation.
“For we artists the theme is very interesting because it gives us the avenue to talk about this problem in society using what we know how to do best,” he says.
Kwesi Botchway in his studio
Using a 4 x 5 ft canvas a cleric pain and brush Kwesi is developing an artwork that states proper sewage as a key to urban sanitation.
“I will talk about how people can go to the public toilet and defecating into the bowl instead of the ground and how they have to keep their hands clean after usage,” he adds.
“That is the most interesting part and am proud to be part of the ‘Let’s talk Sh*t’ project. My final work will be a surprise,” he tells the group.
Sh*t Ambassadors
Bright Akwerh is a multi media artist who uses illustration as his primary form of art which is shared on social media and recently public poster making.
He believes using the medium of posters as a loud means of communication, indicating that it is not too elitist like how other art forms are shared, ‘so I see it a means of reaching a very broad audience across all societal groups.’
He adds that his work already engages directly with what happens in society, ‘as a member of society and as an artist I find it as my responsibility to use my work to address societal issues.
Bright notes that the poor sanitary conditions at public places needs to be addressed hence his project.
“It has made going to the beach a difficult thing for me so if I can contribute my effort to contributing to ending this problem it is a plan for me.
I want to find a way to put my whole flavor into the project using my graphic tablets which is directly digitized to allow for easy sharing on the internet.
He is working on a satirical illustration titled, ‘Sh*t Ambassadors’ for his ‘Let’s talk sh*t’ project.
Bright Akwerh demonstrating how his art works to the group
Bright says his illustration will depict in a satirical illustration on why historical sites, beaches and open places must be considered as national treasures and should not be used as toilets.
“I am developing a young boy idea now is that this thing when finished shout be a poster that go into the community showing two satirical character trying to correct practice of open defecation.
I use my work as a medium to engage in the existing space,” he concludes.
Recycle Sh*t
Mohamed Awudu Alias Moh Awudu is a graffiti artist based in Nima, he is working on a graffiti piece titled recycle sh*t which tackles why historical sites, beaches and open places are national treasures and should not be used as toilets.
“As an artist you have to make sure you use your art work to tell stories that change lives. I have taken the role of an ambassador for ending open defecation in my area because when we stop it will create a lot of benefits for us,” Moh as he is called states.
He says the art on child labour graffiti shows children working with sad facial expression on one side with the other side showing a happy girl in school uniform with books.
Mahamed in his studio
Moh as he is called says he uses his art to change the perception of society about his community.
“As an artist I want to help these kids out because I have been in the same shoes and I know how it feels, this time I want to help end open defecation in my community.”
Pictures that tell a story
Henry Obimpeh describes himself as a photographer who takes pictures that makes meaning.
“I just don’t make photographs I make photographs that has value. When you make a photograph of a beautiful lady and put it online of course you get likes but what does the photograph do. I want my photos to inspire educate and tell a narrative,” he says.
Explaining the work that he has produced to the group, Henry point to a picture on the wall of his mini workplace, this a lady in three frames first single and then multiple.
“This sends the message of the plurality of the media since democracy. First it was one major media house and two or three joined and now more are springing up. You cannot even count them now,” he explains.
Moving on to his project, Henry said he will be the different names of African fabrics to tell the story of how open defecation can be brought to an end.
“I am using four fabrics that have cultural significance and local meaning to tell the story of ending open defecation.
The first is life is how you make it, broken pot, one tree cannot stand alone, good beads don’t make noise,” he says.
Henry Obimpeh explaining the significane of one of his photgraphs during the tour
He says the main idea is to use these fabrics to create a piece of work with theme cholera and diarrhea is gotten through eating feaces.
“Good beads don’t talk signifies a problem we have as a country but the big men are behaving as if they are not seeing it. I am laughing at them because when the sanitation related diseases come it is going to get all of us.
Life is how you make it signifies that the problem of open defecation can be solved by us and on one else broken pot signifies the problem on our hands, one tree cannot stand alone, one name cannot solve societies problems,” he says.
Dear Valentine
Set along the coastal community of La, Dear Valentine is a short film that addresses the issue of the lack of indoor toilet facilities and one of its implications.
The film produced by videographer, Fiona Worlanyo Ansah, and based on personal experience, tells the story of how a romantic date went wrong due to lack of in indoor toilet facility.
“Personally I have had issues with the phenomenon where house do not have toilet or people rent apartment with on toilets. Even though it is funny it is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. It is just 6 minutes,” she says.
Videographer, Worlanyo showing the group a clip in the short film
She says the use of the local Ga language with English sub title will get to the target audience and create the needed interest to end open defecation.
The creative ideas that were shared during the two day visits were sure to keep the interest of the public in the forth coming exhibition at Alliance Francaise and its subsequent show in some selected communities.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri