Dikan Center has held its inaugural graduation ceremony and exhibition, showcasing the talent and creativity of its students in the field of visual storytelling after five months of comprehensive training.
The graduation ceremony and exhibition served as a platform for the next generation of African leaders in visual storytelling to showcase their outstanding work and connect with industry professionals, highlighting the centre’s dedication to promoting talent in the field.
The event marked a significant achievement for the centre and highlighted the growing interest and importance of visual storytelling in the creative industry. It focused on honouring the accomplishments of the Photojournalism and Documentary Practice class, marking a significant milestone in Dikan’s mission to harness the power of visual education for the continent’s transformation.
The ceremony was not only a celebration of individual achievements, but also a collective acknowledgment of the potential of the graduates to become the next generation of African leaders through visual storytelling.
The Country Director of Mastercard Foundation Ghana, Madam Rica Rwigamba, in her address, emphasised the transformative power of creative industries, particularly in a continent where over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25. She stated that tapping into the creative potential of the youth can help drive economic growth and empower them to become leaders of tomorrow.
“Africa’s youthful population, with over 60 percent under the age of 25, positions the continent as a hub for the creative economy. By investing in creative industries, we can provide meaningful job opportunities for young people, preserve our cultural heritage, and boost economic development across the continent.
With technological advancements, young African communities have easier access to global markets, enabling them to reach a wider audience and create international collaborations. It is crucial to invest in education and skills development to empower young people to turn their creative ideas into sustainable businesses,” She said.
According to UNESCO, the creative economy contributes significantly to the global GDP and provides jobs for millions worldwide. Africa’s rich cultural heritage positions the continent as a global powerhouse in the creative field, with the Dikan Center playing a pivotal role in nurturing the next wave of creative leaders, Ms. Rigwamba noted.
The founder and Executive Director of Dikan Center, Paul Ninson, highlighted the significance of embracing technology in visual storytelling. Paul encouraged the graduates to explore beyond traditional photography, envisioning a future where photojournalists can incorporate coding, artificial intelligence tools, and immersive storytelling techniques to enhance their narratives.
Reflecting on the success of the programme, Mr. Ninson stated: “We may have started small, but we are dedicated to expanding our educational offerings and providing ongoing support to further enhance the opportunities for visual education”.
Mr. Ninson called for collaborations to help the centre to achieve its dream of continuous training for young people in visual storytelling. The achievement of the students who completed the comprehensive 5-month programmes were recognised with certificates. Through a unique partnership between Dikan Center and Canon, called the ‘Canon Young People Programme’ (Canon YPP), 10 students from the Osu Home JHS in the Dikan Community were given the opportunity to explore visual storytelling and photography for 10 weeks.
The graduating students extended their appreciation to the centre for equipping them with practical and theoretical knowledge to elevate their skills. They are committed to making a meaningful impact in the visual storytelling field with their newfound abilities.
About Dikan
Dikan is a visionary non-profit institution dedicated to shaping the next generation of Africa’s creative leaders. Dikan believes in the power of visual education to ignite transformation across the African continent. Through its dynamic education programmes, vibrant community-building initiatives, captivating exhibitions, innovative labs and engaging public programmes, it creates a nurturing space for the art of storytelling.
