It is always a super cool feeling to review a new phone before it hits the markets/shelves. Though I've owned other smartphone models, Samsung has been impressing me with their latest line of Galaxy devices.
Last November I tried my hands at the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and was duly impressed, the super AMOLED display and Android OS (which has come pretty far since I switched to iOS) was a pleasant surprise. The stylus was incredibly responsive...wider screen....connection to wearable gear.... but this post is about the new Samsung Galaxy A5. Let me not get ahead of myself.

First thing that I noticed on the A5 was the metallic outer casing and the rounded edges. Surprisingly, the Galaxy A5 is way lighter than my iPhone 5c and quite noticeably so.

Holding the camera at the launch in Accra on January 30th, 2015.

The phone is incredibly fast and comes with 16GB of memory (2GB RAM) and an opportunity for you to upgrade to as much as you would like/can afford on an SD card...not bad, especially if you want to push movies, photos or music via Samsung's AllShare Play feature to a Samsung TV ( I own a ChromeCast so I get to push YouTube and a few others apps from my mobile devices as well).

As a photographer though, I honed in quickly on the picture taking features on the phone. If you are a stats feign this is what you'll get with the Samsung Galaxy A5:

• CMOS 13 MegaPixels for the primary (back) camera
• Geo-tagging (so you can let friends know of pictures taken in Korle-Gonno)
• Touch face, face detection & panorama (even more k3ch3)
• 1080p @30fps for video...charley in 1998 could phones do this...lemme check Google real quick and get back to you.

Alright so my favorite photo feature on this 50 inch screen device has to do with selfies. I take selfies all the time, see here. And with the selfie-stick craze...yes selfie-stick is a thing...the ability to take pictures by only showing your palm to the camera tickled the day light out of me; closing the deal for the Samsung A5 as a must have phone in my arsenal. With all the bells and whistles of a metallic casing, light-weight device run on Google Android's KitKat (yummie!) a perk like automated selfie was a welcome bonus.

The launch at the new Samsung office at Stanbic Heights was fun and friends caught on to my favorite feature

Samsung official demonstrating to the press at the launch

Deeper

My friend and YFM co-worker Caroline Sampson was fascinated on Sunday when I showed her the phone after church.

Got it right after a few tries #PalmSelfies with YFM's Caroline Sampson

The phone's estimated retail value is 1,500 ghs and at that price point, (my first monthly salary in Ghana for perspective at what most consider here to be a good job) the phone isn't cheap.

In conclusion though the Galaxy A5 is a fun, light weight smartphone that I can use to impress all the beautiful ladies. #A5lifestyle

Deeper* is my 2015 resolution to dig deeper into conversations, reviews and sentiments I share on-air or online. 

First text message I received earlier this week caught my attention. It didn't have to do with team 1000 words photos,  the Mpwr radio show or Youtube GH video projects but rather with my personal twitter account *pause*.

The last few weeks twitter was ablaze with #OccupyGhana #OccupyFlagstaff; US Embassy Tweet versus President Mahama; & even more disturbing #HannahTetteh #HannahTettehSon #Sextape tweets.

Yep, you guessed it, the Minister for Affairs, Hon. Hannah Tetteh responded to tweets about Occupy Ghana, here. Most who who participated felt her tweet on #OccupyFlagstaff was condescending. Hon. Tetteh chastised the US Embassy's tweet here and shortly after, twitter erupted thanks to two leaked sex tapes of students: one featuring Hannah Tetteh's son, oopsie!

I digress, but you can empathize with my anxiety though right? Twitter in Ghana seemed fixated on the scandalous, anyone would have reason for caution. Gratefully here's the image of the text message I received below: listing under New Media: Emmanuel Gamor & my @itakephotos1985 twitter account as one of the 100 Most Influential People on Twitter in Ghana:

Notable honorees include: 

POLITICS/GOVERNMENT/BIZNESS
President John Dramani Mahama, @JDMahama; Hanna Tetteh, @HannaTetteh; Samia Nkrumah, @samiankrumah; Nana Akufo-Addo, @NAkufoAddo; Ozwald Boateng, @Ozwald_Boateng; Alan Kyerematen,@Alankyerematen....

MOVIE INDUSTRY (GHOLLYWOOD)
Yvonne Nelson, @yvonnenelsongh; Freema Agyeman, @FreemaOfficial; Peter Mensah,@PMensahOnline; Boris Kodjoe@BorisKodjoe....

CHURCH
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, @ArchbishopNick; Sam Korankye Ankrah, @SamKorankye; Charles Agyinasare, @Cagyinasare; Dag Heward-Mills, @EvangelistDag...

MUSIC/COMEDY
Sonnie Badu, @SonnieBaduuk; Sarkodie, @sarkodie; Mildred Ashong, @Eazzyfirstlady; Paedae da Pralem (Faisal Hakeem) and Mugeez (Rashid Mugeez) – @r2bees; Sarkodie,@sarkodie; Joey B, @1RealJoeyB; Shatta Wale, @shattawalegh...

SPORTS
Asamoah Gyan,@ASAMOAH_GYAN3; Michael Essien, @MichaelEssien; Afua Hirsch, @afuahirsch; Kwadwo Asamoah,@Asabob20...

LITERARY
Ama Ata Aidoo, @AmaAtaAidoo; The Writeous One, @KwesiiAsomadu; @Kwabena;Kinna, @kinnareads; Crystal Svanikier,@nautyinaccra; Adjoa Ofoe,@adjoaofoe; J.B. Amissah-Arthur, @jbshakes; Nana Kofi Acquah...

PRINT MEDIA
Kenneth Ashigbey,@EdemAshigbey; Fredrick Gyan-Mante,@Freddie_GH; The Writeous One, @KwesiiAsomadu; Manasseh Azure Awuni,@Manasseh_Azure...

BROADCAST MEDIA (TV/RADIO)
Richard Sky, @RichardDelaSky; Michelle Attoh, @MichelleAttoh; Sammy Forson, @sammyforson; Ama K. Abebrese, @Ama_K_Abebrese...

NEW MEDIA

Kajsa Hallberg Adu, @kajsaha; Emmanuel A. Gamor, @itakephotos1985; Ameyaw Debrah, @ameyaw112...

Full list of Ghana's 100 Most Influential People on Twitter, link.

I was vetted & selected into the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Accra Hub (mouthful, I know) in the middle of last year. The group comprises of 13 other phenomenal young Ghanaian leaders working together on projects to make a positive difference.  One of the projects we've embarked on since January 2014 is the monthly Accra Discourse.

The Accra Discourse is a monthly conversation and networking event where passionate voices in Ghana connect with key drivers within sectors of leadership, business and development to have conversations that contribute to shaping the future of Ghana. Past guests include Young Global Leaders as well as enterpreneurial mavens in the country. I have learnt quite a bit and I look forward to the first Monday of every month discussions at 6:30pm at La Villa Boutique, Osu Accra.

 

The Accra Discourse January:
This is the launch of a series of monthly conversations about change/entrepreneurshipleadership and development in Ghana. January speaker: Ruben Atekpe, Executive Chairman, Merchants Company of West Africa – MECOWA Group, Ghana.

The Accra Discourse February:
This is a series of monthly conversations about change/entrepreneurship>leadership and development in Ghana. February speaker: Kofi Kwakwa is the Founder and CEO of Sagevest Holdings.

The Accra Discourse March:
March panel discussion on women's leadership featuring Estelle Akofio-Sowah the CEO of Google Ghana, Akua Nyame-Mensah, the CEO of Lamudi & Hanna Atiase, Sales Manager of Ghana Home Loans. #TheAccraDiscourse

Besides meeting progressive minded people, The Accra Discourse has been a great opportunity to chart a positive way forward& shape my little corner in the world into a better place.

Once in a while there are events that I am forced to wait a while before I get to share, tell the story behind the pictures and the Savvy Madam event at Golden Tulip in January this year is one of them. Not that it is government secret and incredibly confidential but the post-event recap is still hush hush.

I am however, mighty proud of the founder of the Madam Network who put the event together. After business school I'm sure she has a lot in store for professional women who want to network and make an impact. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures which feature Deborah Vanessa and friends.

One of the amazing things that inspires and continues to encourage me while in Ghana are the brilliant, absolutely ingenious young entrepreneurs in the country. From the first week I landed, I reconnected with my old schoolmate from Presec, Edward Tagoe, met his partner Kwame Pocho (with whom I've eventually partnered with on Team 1000 words) and the amazing Anne Amuzu. Anne is the the CEO of Nandimobile and after my contract with MEST was over a few weeks ago, I was excited to cross over the bridge to MINC & work on client testimonials for their soon to be relaunched website.

To brave, ambitious and successful Ghanaian entrepreneurs who support each other. We are who we've been waiting for:

Client: FC Beauty
FC Beauty - Nandimobile Testimonial from itake photos est. 1985 on Vimeo.

Client: Agape House New Testament Church
Agape - Nandimobile Testimonial from itake photos est. 1985 on Vimeo.

Client: HotJobs Africa Ltd

HotJobs Africa - Nandimobile Testimonial from itake photos est. 1985 on Vimeo.

I've probably raved & ranted about how Ghana is equal amounts of amazing and frustrating. But today, on 6th March 2013 I'm just grateful for the freedoms and liberties of a fledgeling young democracy. Even the opportunity to be an ingrate sometimes. Happy 56th Independence Day, Ghana.

Before today, I'd given myself, this blog and Reporting Ghana's Presidency a self imposed hiatus on reporting on politics.

I love politics and as a political scientist (my 1st/college degree certifies my cred), it was one of the most difficult things to do but Ghana's political climate called for cooler heads than inadvertent fanning of disgruntled political flames.

During the elections with the Ghana Decides team, we were able to report on the elections from polling stations through to collating offices and the party headquarters of the respective parties. After the electoral commissioner announced the NDC as the winner, the divide in the country became very very apparent. Besides isolated incidents of violence on the streets of Accra by the opposing NPP supporters, the general sentiment among peace-seekers was for us not to incite the already disgruntled NPP. I hate to admit it, but most Ghanaians' Christmas celebrations were tampered down because of the uncertainty caused by the NPP and other political parties refusing to concede and accept the electoral commissions results. The matter has been sent to Ghana's Supreme court.

But the swearing-in of the president-elect H.E. John Mahama was still an august occasion. It was colorful, patriotic and the pride tens of thousands of Northerners, a region John Mahama is from, showed by driving 12+ hours to attend the occasion made it a joy to document on camera. The Ghana Decides coordinator trashed out on epic proportions (slang for did a terrible job at coordinating) and I ended up by myself most of the day and not having the assistance/feeling comfortable to record video. Then again, a picture shares 1000 words, so enjoy:

Foreign observers at the swearing-in ceremony

A packed Independence Square, Accra

Supporters of the the NDC & President-elect Mahama

Venue for the swearing-in: Independence Square, Accra

Supporters and fans of NDC

Abedi Pele, Former Football and FIFA Ambassador

Forward in Unity, One Nation with Love

So I'm exhausted, not just emotionally like most Ghanaians about the ongoing contemptuous rhetoric in the political sphere, but physically from being harassed, praised and challenged to report on the ongoing election story in Ghana.

I am also excited and have been challenged as a journalist, in the past week I've gotten amazing videography footage that sheds light on what the past week has been like in Ghana. From Friday morning the early morning voters at Dzorwulu polling station for the West Ayawaso Wougon constituency, through the following day (Saturday Dec 8th) to the Christian Center polling station for the same constituency and finally interviewing the member of parliament elect. It is amazing to watch the democratic process in action from the perspective of a first time voter, to hearing the sentiments of the person who is elected by the people to serve the constituency.

Ballot officer at Christian Centre, East Legon counting votes.

Getting better at this.

The next update will be the reactions from supporters of both NDC & NPP after the EC commissioner, Afari-Gyan's declaration. Stay tuned.


Emmanuel A. Gamor for Ghana Decides

After all the festivities during the national rallies, hosted by the National Democratic Congress & New Patriotic Party yesterday, today seemingly started with much less fanfare on the streets of Accra. Shortly after mid-day the pouring rain, as if in attempt to wash away the posters and banners, left-over vuvuzela's and print-outs in town, cleansed the capital of all political campaigning paraphenelia on the final day before elections.

Sentiments about the elections have been heated, debates and national officials of either party are both guilty of raising the rhetoric to alarming levels of accusations and counter-accusations.
 "We are the peaceful party, watch out, the others are the more violent."
"We do not control the military or the police force, they do, but like the youth in Tunisia, we have the mandate of the people and the mandate of the people is the mandate of God."

If you spent time in either party's camp, ambushed by red blue and white (NPP), loud vuvuzela buzzes you would come out reciting the free high school education platform and accolades of Nana Akufo Addo; if you were overwhelmed by the white and green, mouth contorting slogan of "edey be kɛkɛ" you would be an advocate for the "better Ghana" incumbent initiative. Amidst the rhetoric what was more impressive was symbol of unity friends of both parties showed when as they walked side by side, hand in hand late night after the political rallies. Taxi drivers were cautious to share their political inclinations, most from either party hinted that the race may be too close to declare early victory for either party and progressive, foreign educated Ghanaian's lamented about the absence of a strong political campaign machine to support other choices besides John Mahama's NDC and Nana Addo's NPP; the likes PPPs Nduom and CPP's Sakara.

Napthaline Djokoto at East Legon, Accra photo credit: emmanuel a. gamor

The "Our Vote, Our Voice" campaign by Ghana Decides seeks to engage young people in the electoral process, by providing pledge cards and an online link to vote, the Ghana Decides team seeks to remind young voters the importance of their contribution during the 2012 elections. Most young people were registered to vote, when pressed on whether they would vote on Friday, however, some gave excuses that where they were registered was inconveniently far from where they currently work or reside in Accra and weren't as pressed to show up at the polling station come December 7th.

A good section of the people also expressed a sense of being fed-up with the political rhetoric the incessant name-calling, the intimidation of potential violence due to the accusations of the dominant parties of what the other might do. Yes the democratic process is important to most people, and you can engage in a lively debate by mentioning colors, slogans, political parties names or prominent politicians. You will very likely find an ardent fan or vocal opposition almost anywhere on the streets of Accra.
More importantly though, Ghanaians enjoy good music, we enjoy concerts both religious and non-religous and more importantly, Ghanaians have embraced peace.

May the best man win.

Emmanuel A. Gamor for Ghana Decides

Three days to election day and everyone is gearing up for one of the most hotly contested elections in Ghana's history. Since 1992, there has perhaps not been as much media fervor and anticipation for a presidential election as this. The reported 32 radio stations based in Accra alone, and dozens of television station allow more avenues for discourse for everyone to be engaged in the political debate. The nationally televised and online broadcast presidential and vice-presidential debates notwithstanding, there are still a number of  young people I met at the Accra mall who were not intending to vote come Friday, December 7th 2012.

video:

Some of the young people I spoke with were skeptical about voting. A gentleman who is an employee at one of the businesses at the mall, and wants to remain anonymous, lamented that he could not return to his place of registration in the Volta region and come back in time for work. I pressed him further and asked if his employees gave the impression that his job would be threatened because of his absence and he admitted to the contrary, he did not think it was worth the hassle and would consider voting if it was more convenient for him to do so.

photo credit: emmanuel a. gamor

Jeffrey Tetteh Obese, the Operations Manager at Barcelos fast food eatery at the mall, was pleased to pledge to vote. He shared that the management at the mall sent letters to all shop renters and employers that the mall will not be opened before noon on Friday to allow employees and workers to exercise their right to vote. Whether the notice about the mall's late opening was trickled down to all employees is another matter.

Jeffery Tetteh Obese at the Accra Mall photo credit: emmanuel a. gamor

A young lady with whom I spoke with at the MTN service center, hinted that though she lives in Accra and her registration/voting station is at Legon, she was not sure she would vote on Friday. She admitted she was a bit intimidated by the rhetoric between the NDC & NPP with a seemingly close election race may lead to violence. When pressed on what would make her more politically engaged and vote on Friday, she joked that a private chauffeur to the voting station without the wait in line would be best.

photo credit: emmanuel a. gamor

photo credit: emmanuel a. gamor

After the Arab Spring uprisings we are yet to see if the large demographic of young people in sub-Saharan Africa will affect or influence the presidential elections. The two dominant political parties have made a showing of employing young people amongst their ranks, and the NPP's main campaign promise revolves around serving young people with free Senior Secondary School education. Ghana Decides' Our Vote Our Voice campaign seeks to engage all young people, regardless of their political affiliations to go out and vote. Voting is a democratic right that should not be taken lightly as the opportunity usually comes once every four years with considerable implications to our collective well-being in the very near future.

Emmanuel A. Gamor for Ghana Decides

Emmanuel A. Gamor Resume (Visual) I'm back in my neck of my woods, at my father's house in one of the neighborhoods I grew up in (Airport residential area Accra, Ghana). I'm excited about all the opportunities my native country has to offer. Alternating between website construction and updates for [rgp] (presidential elections are about 2 weeks away...) I created this visual version of my professional resume. Always wanted an out-of-the-box way to turn creative info graphics concept to showcase some of my strengths!

Friends and well-wishers at my last 2012 DC shindig, my next project & a new chapter in my life www.ReportingGhanaPresidency.com There will be photo, audio, video updates on here soon. This blog will see a revamp as itp85 shares share the love with [rgp] & TNG. Photography courtesy of Maxine Naawu.

Cris and Curtis have been dating since high school. I attended West Potomac High with Cristina and met Curtis at senior prom. Years, almost a decade later, I was excited to asked to be the photographer at their quaint union in Arlington, Virginia.

Davis Wedding from itake photos est. 1985 on Vimeo.

High school friend, Cristina, has been dating Curtis.... well since high school. Union of Cris and Curtis Davis, Friday July 6th, 2012 Arlington Virginia.

Move! I love to stroll. My chapter brothers during a probate show in Gainesville, Florida last year. This picture was taken before I was assigned as the fraternity's nat photog. I miss those care-free, no responsibilities-laden(not much anyway) days. Definitely kept a brother in shape!

Strolling(verb): The traditional dance or “party walk” performed by culturally-based fraternities and/or sororities.