The Dikan Center in Accra, Ghana, is creating waves in the literary and artistic world with its groundbreaking library of over 30,000 photobooks. Founded by Ghanaian photojournalist Paul Ninson, the center has become a hub for visual storytelling and African history, offering a treasure trove of resources for photographers, historians, and enthusiasts.

Ninson’s journey began with a spark of inspiration during his studies in New York City, where he discovered a wealth of visual African history in libraries and galleries—something he rarely encountered back home. “A man does not know his true identity when he does not know his history,” Ninson told NPR. Determined to bring that history to Ghana, he amassed an extraordinary collection of photobooks, shipping them across the Atlantic with the help of crowdfunding and personal grit.

Opened in December 2022, the Dikan Center is more than a library—it’s a creative ecosystem. Alongside its extensive collections, it hosts workshops, exhibitions, and educational programs in photojournalism and storytelling. Notable instructors have included Pete Souza, former White House photographer, and Alice Gabriner of TIME Magazine.

The center also bridges technological gaps, providing digital tools such as cameras, computers, and virtual reality equipment to empower the next generation of storytellers. “Dikan has magnified art, magnified photography,” said Daniella Afful, a Ghanaian visitor inspired by the center’s exhibitions.

For Ninson, Dikan’s mission is clear: to connect Africans with their past while equipping them to shape the future through powerful visual narratives. The center’s unique offerings continue to draw attention from creatives and cultural institutions worldwide, cementing its place as a beacon of African storytelling.