Nora Naa Ablordeppey and Philip Osei-Baidoo
Photos and stories submitted by Sehlina Osei-Baidoo, London
These photographs originate from Nora Naa Ablordeppey (1932–2005) and her son Philip Osei-Baidoo. Nora was born in Ada Foah, Ghana, and married Casely Osei-Baidoo, a government minister, with whom she had two children, Philip and Herbert. Nora trained as a nurse and moved to the UK at the age of 27 to further her training. She left her young son’s in Ghana where they were raised by their grandmother. In 1965, after living in the UK for six years, she went to Ghana to bring Philip and Herbert to the UK and they briefly lived with her. However, she got remarried and after getting pregnant moved back to Ghana with her family. After a second divorce, she moved to the UK again, leaving her children in Ghana and settling in London. Eventually all her children moved to London in the 1970s.
Philip Osei-Baidoo (born 1953) went to a local presbytarian primary school in Ada Foah. He briefly worked for his dad Casely in Accra as driver and admin help. In 1975 he moved to London to pursue further education, married and had two daughters. In 1994 he moved back to London.
“Taking pictures enabled us to feel our identity and to know where we belong”
Philip Osei-Baidoo
Nora Naa Ablordeppey in Ada Foah in August 1953, soon after giving birth to Philip. According to customs, she is wearing whit jewellery and light coloured clothing to show that she just had a baby.
Philip at twelve weeks old in 1953. The film was developed in Big Ada, the neighbouring town to Ada Foah, 1953.
Philip with with his uncle Victor on the beach in Ada Foah, playing with empty beer bottles which they used to collect. Broken beer bottles were scattered on the compound walls as deterrence for intruders.
Philip with the briefcase of his father Casely at their home in Avenor, Accra around 1955/56. Philip loved the briefcase so much he knew everything that was in the bag. His dad would put it on the table when he came home from work, and Philipp would try to open it, but never managed.
Philip’s birthday celebration (second-right) in 1958 in Avenor, Accra
Nora on a visit back to Ghana in Akosombo, in 1966
Nora dancing in the 1960s, Accra
Philip (tall boy on the right) at a birthday party in Accra and his brother Herbert in front of him. Philip remembers the photographer ducking under a cloth before activating a bright flash. They are all looking in one direction as someone was trying to distract them into standing still (circa 1958).
Herbert and Philip (checkered shirts in the center) with their cousins in Ada Foah, 1964
Philip in 1970 outside his dormitory at Adisadel Boys College in Cape Coast. He is wearing a Pata Pata shirt, named after the popular song by Miriam Makeba. It was a big trend for young people at the time. Mixing their heritage and pro African stance with western fashions. My dad says another plus point of this style was that it was affordable.
According to Philip, him and his peers seldom bought clothes. They had them made by tailors and seamstresses. They bought the fabric they wanted–even denim for jeans–and got clothes made: bell bottoms, slim fit suits and jackets.
Philip at the age of 16 when he was in the army cadets from 1969 to 1972. He joined the cadet core because his uncle was an officer in the army and he thought he would look good in uniform. He appreciated the impact that physical exercising had on his discipline.
Philip at the age of 18 with his friend Emelie in 1971 outside the Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast.
