Scrap metal tarpaulin and metal tags on charcoal jute sacks

216 x 206 x 12 cm

SOYA YOOYA, meaning "dry soya beans" in Twi, features an array of meticulously arranged jute sacks, a material commonly used to store and transport produce in the bustling markets of Ghana. Ibrahim Mahama often works with this material to shed light on the intricate interplay between agricultural practices and economic dynamics.

In Ghana, local farmers are being encouraged to cultivate soybeans due to their high yield and market value. However, the government's preference to export these crops for the international market poses a significant challenge to enhancing the nation's food security. This issue is compounded by factors such as climate change, inadequate funding for farming infrastructure, and disparate soil fertility.

Against this backdrop, SOYA YOOYA becomes a poignant commentary on the complexities surrounding Ghana's agricultural landscape. Employing jute sacks that symbolise not only the goods they contain but also the enduring struggle of the local populace, Ibrahim Mahama pays homage to the toil and sacrifice of his people, highlighting the paradox where their labour becomes a crucial commodity for international markets at the expense of their own sustenance.