The Great Oblivion

Sugri Zenabu, a mangazia (female community leader) from the Gambaga 'witch camp', sits surrounded by some residents of Gambaga camp, Ghana, on October 27, 2022. Zenabu is showing some signs of confusion and memory loss associated with dementia. As life expectancy increases, dementia is increasingly becoming a public health and socio-cultural issue in Ghana and across Africa. Due to a lack of widespread awareness of the behaviors associated with this condition, women with symptoms of dementia are sometimes perceived as witches. In Ghana, they can be sent to live in so-called "witch camps".

Lee-Ann Olwage's personal project attempts to bring attention to often overlooked stories about dementia on the African continent. Published in Der Spiegel and made with support from the Bob and Diane Fund.

Regional Winner Single Photo Category Award – Africa