Busua in Ghana is home to a surf scene that is breaking down barriers and empowering young women in the community. The movement was sparked by a magazine cutting from a 1960s article titled ‘Africa – Home of Surfing?’ that was recently discovered by filmmaker Ben Lalande. The article, found and forwarded by colleague Sarah Hughen, depicted a heavy-handed caricature of a tribesman dragging a surfboard from the ocean, prompting Lalande and Hughen to explore the surfing scene in Ghana.
In Busua, a small fishing town, they came across a group of female surfers braving the Atlantic waves. In a town where traditional gender roles have kept girls at home and discouraged from enjoying the beach, the sight of these girls surfing is making a significant impact. Justice Kwofie, at the heart of Busua’s surf school, recognized the gender divide and started a program called Black Girls Surf to teach young women to swim and catch waves.
For many of the girls, learning to surf has not only opened up opportunities for leisure and skill-building, but has also contributed to a decline in teenage pregnancies with the establishment of Obibini, Ghana’s only female surf club.
The roots of surfing in Africa date back to centuries ago and have been increasingly recognized as an independent development, rather than being imported from other parts of the world. Despite the potential for surfing to bring about positive change and economic opportunities in Ghana, it is still considered a luxury and has yet to gain widespread support from the local community.
Sandy Alibo, the founder of Surf Ghana, is working to change this perception by using action sports to empower and educate young people, in addition to supporting the construction of a new clubhouse in Busua. With the support of brands like Vans and the release of Lalande and Hughen’s award-winning film, the surf scene in Busua is gaining attention and recognition. The film promotes a donation page to raise funds for educational and safety initiatives, as well as the construction of a new clubhouse in the town.
The impact of surfing in Busua is far-reaching, and its effects are spreading throughout the community, providing hope and opportunities for young women in Ghana.
Read More Breaking News
