Meet Araba, The Face Behind Ghana’s Beloved ‘My First Copy Book’

Meet Araba, The Face Behind Ghana’s Beloved ‘My First Copy Book’

  • The identity of the child featured in Ghana's famous 'My First Copy Book' has been revealed as Mrs Araba Swaniker, thanks to social media
  • The original photo, taken by American photographer Willis Eugene Bell, was recreated with the help of Ghanaian photographer Ben Adu
  • The unveiling of Mrs. Swaniker's identity has evoked emotions and serves as significant historical documentation for generations of Ghanaian students

The face behind the beloved educational tool, 'My First Copy Book,' renowned for helping Ghanaian kindergarten students learn the alphabet and improve handwriting skills, has been revealed.

The mystery child, whose image has graced countless copies, was recently identified as Araba, thanks to a social media revelation by her sister, Franka-Maria.

The original photograph was taken decades ago by American photographer Willis Eugene Bell, a prominent figure in portrait photography at the time.

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Meet Mrs Araba Swaniker, The Face Behind Ghana’s Beloved ‘My First Copy Book’
Young Mrs Araba Swaniker on the front page of the copy books most Ghanaian children use Photo credit: Walking books resources Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook

In an emotional effort to recreate the iconic image, the family enlisted the expertise of renowned Ghanaian photographer Ben Adu, who captured the poignant moment.

The photo shoot, described as teary and emotional by Franka-Maria, is a significant piece of documentation, unveiling the woman who unknowingly became the symbol of early education for generations of Ghanaian children.

Ben Adu expressed nostalgia during the photography session, appreciating the historical significance of capturing Sister Araba, the face behind the cherished 'My First Copy Book,' an educational cornerstone in many Ghanaian classrooms.

See the remake of the photo below:

Comments on the photo

YEN.com.gh collated some reactions to the image that was shared. Read them below:

@iamniisaki said:

If it was any other country, like she would have cashed out from this one single photo.

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@goba_kente wrote:

Woooow !!! That’s her ?? nice ❤️❤️❤️

@baaba_ankrah said:

The book some adults still need to be using la

@ramstudios_gh wrote:

...I can imagine the feeling meeting the people whose shadows shaped our childhood. Good bless her

Joe Wilson Tetteh said:

Wow. Still as pretty, if not better?

Naomi Nelson wrote:

Woooow how cool is this

Boy writes like a computer font

Meanwhile, a talented young boy showcased his exceptional handwriting skills on TikTok, impressing netizens with his neat and beautiful script.

Using the handle @lyricsgenius1, he wrote down lyrics from various Nigerian songs, including Kizz Daniel's "Cough," displaying pristine handwriting resembling a computer font.

TikTok users praised his remarkable talent, showering him with accolades for his impressive writing abilities.

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Magdalene Larnyoh avatar

Magdalene Larnyoh (Human-Interest editor) Magdalene Larnyoh writes for the Human Interest Desk at YEN.com.gh. She has over ten years of experience in media and communications. She previously worked for Citi FM, Pulse Ghana, and Business Insider Africa. She obtained a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in 2012. Reach out to her on magdalene.larnyoh@yen.com.gh