Life is dying — immersive photo exhibition at @odovalley during @asabaakofestival
Water is life. When we kill it, we kill everything that depends on it.
Life is dying documents the natural beauty and fragility of two interconnected ecosystems in Ghana’s Western Region. It is an invitation to explore the impacts of resource extraction on life and wildlife, and the interconnectedness with food security and biodiversity on a local and global scale.
Ghana is establishing its first Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points area, covering approximately 700 square kilometers. The initiative aims to restore degraded marine habitats, protect biodiversity, and manage declining fish stocks, addressing the need for sustainable, long-term marine management. It protects essential habitats for declining fish populations and provides a safe corridor for migratory species like dolphins and whales.
Since August 2025, Galamsey has reached the protected forest reserve at Cape Three Points. Classified as a Key Biodiversity Area, the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve is Ghana’s only remaining coastal rainforest, and it is a crucial biodiversity hotspot for endangered monkeys and rare birds. The forest reserve and the Galamsey sites are situated close to secluded beaches that are habitats for nesting sea turtles.
While the mining sites directly destroy habitat in the forest reserve, the chemicals used in the mines do not remain there. From rivers to oceans, from forests to fields, from farms to food — Ghana’s future food security faces the same risks as the biodiversity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Mercury persists indefinitely and converts into highly toxic methylmercury in aquatic ecosystems, where it bioaccumulates in fish and poses severe health risks to wildlife and humans.
Mercury is a carcinogenic neurotoxin that accumulates in the body, primarily affecting the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Crops can absorb it from… continuation in comment ⬇️
📷 captured by @hemansjr
The place of communities at the source risks getting lost if we don’t shift how their stories are told today.
Last weekend, which also happened to be #ghanaindependence Weekend and the Weekend of #internationalwomensday, we took the stories of women in #shea on an 11-hour journey from the savannah landscapes to the coast of Busua. For the first time, these women were presented beyond the butter and on their own terms, shaping how they wish to be seen and represented.
Hosted by @odovalley , Magajia by @elroysalam : a portrait-led documentation of four generations of women in shea developed under the Savannah Residency Program - found its first public home.
Odo Valley sits at the intersection of ecological dialogue and multidisciplinary interpretation, and the gathering powerfully reflected that spirit through ODO” 57: from Fufu & Friends by @ghanafoodmovement , to sound and music by @theweirdcult , reflections by @kwameasie on his journey, a photographic conversation on galamsey by @mowglifeels ,and a wider community of enthusiasts, cultural & environmental practitioners.
Together, it became a space where documentation, interpretation, and cultural dialogue met around the ecosystems and communities that sustain them.
So many interesting conversations over the value of protecting land and water around this round table at @odovalley last weekend. The conversations started to happen as I began setting up the photos, so we thought it would be a great idea to just leave them on the table. A random creation that proved to be a very powerful way of setting up for engagement and dialogue.
Since I have been in takoradi, Busua and Odo Valley has been my happy place. A quick 1.5hrs from the city and I'm on the beach and in the forest at the same time. 2 places I will never say no to. Eating good food, doing deep thinking, being creative and relaxing.
#naturedocumentary #neverstopexploring #tourghana
Listening Session
'The Love for Music'
West African rhythms & food
Highlife, Afro House & Forest Soundscapes 28.03.2026 2pm to 7pm
AT ODO VALLEY, BUSUA, GHANA
Vinyl & Live performance with Spc.Ghst, Moone, Kumanini records & Abeni Asante
Day 1 of my return chef’s residency at odo valley.
After my 30+ days exploring foods in west Africa, I return back to @odovalley where it started. For another round of food, sustainability and learning
#odovalley #ghana #farm #chef
A full weekend of art, music, food & community at Odo Valley during @asabaakofestival !
Art Exhibitions…
Life is Dying by @mowglifeels
Magajia by @elroysalam
Freshly made Pito beer from Navrongo
for sale all weekend !
FRIDAY 🇬🇭
2PM — Afternoon Rave with Cruise Station
🎟 100 Cedis
7PM – Late — Odo 57 Independence Night
🎟 100 Cedis (FREE for Afternoon Ravers)
SATURDAY 🌿
☕ 9AM — Morning Brew with @cafecito_coffee_club
Free
12PM – 4PM — Fufu & Friends with @ghanafoodmovement
Fufu & Pito 200 Cedis
🎶 12PM — Highlife with @kumaninirecords
🌙 7PM – Late — @theweirdcult Takeover
🎟 200 Cedis
SUNDAY
5AM — Cafecito Sunrise Edition
10AM — Cooking Class with Chef @kwameasie
🍃 Cassava Leaf Stew with Rice Balls
🎟 200 Cedis, Limited spots — DM us to secure your spot
