“An important film.”
Goethe-Institut Ghana (2013)
“A film with the power to make a real difference.”
Trailer TV (2013)
“Simply inspiring.”
PACODEP (2013)
The film
Fisher of Kids tells the inspiring true story of James Kofi Annan, who was sold into the Ghanaian fishing industry at just six years old. He worked as a child fisherman across more than twenty villages along Lake Volta. Seven years later, he defied the odds and escaped.
“A film about hope, courage and triumph—the true story of a man who braved all the odds.” — IHRG (2013)
Despite being unable to read or write, James taught himself literacy while working to survive. His relentless determination led him through college and, improbably, to the rank of manager at Barclays Bank of Ghana. But his true calling remained on the lake.
Resigning from his prestigious banking career, James dedicated his life to defending children’s rights. Facing repeated death threats from industry profiteers, he continues to risk his life to free child slaves. This film takes you on a powerful journey to the very heart of Lake Volta to celebrate a man who braved impossible odds to end child slavery in Ghana.
The story
From an enslaved child fisherman who could not read his own name to a Barclays bank manager—and now, one of Ghana’s most globally respected anti-slavery activists and founder of the NGO Challenging Heights. James’ life is the spine of the film, and his story is still being written.
“It shows that freedom can be achieved—and the difference one single person can make.” — Diane Mull, IIECL (2013)
Lake Volta
Advocacy groups have long put the number of children enslaved in the Lake Volta fishing industry—one of the most dangerous in the world—above 20,000. Trafficked from within Ghana and surrounding nations, these children dive into the murky waters of the lake to free tangled nets, often before dawn, and almost always without pay.
Founded by James Kofi Annan, the NGO Challenging Heights rescues these children, providing rehabilitation and societal reintegration. By working directly with parents, fishermen, and entire communities, the organization strives to break the cycle of trafficking before it begins.
Trailer
Showing the preview.
Fisher of Kids (18 min, 2013). The full short film is available for educational and advocacy screenings—email me [at] stevenkeen [dot] com to request a copy.
James Kofi Annan is sold into Ghana’s fishing industry at age six. He works as a child fisherman in over twenty villages along Lake Volta before he manages to escape seven years later. The fact that he can neither read nor write doesn’t stop him from following his dream to dedicate his life to saving other children from a similar fate. Working for a living, James soon starts to teach himself reading and writing. Eventually, he attends a college and rises to become a manager at Barclays Bank of Ghana. In pursuit of his calling, James later resigns from his job at Barclays to devote himself fully to fighting for children’s rights—and becomes one of the leading Human Rights activists of our time.
Press
“Premiere: success!”
“The world premiere was a success!”
Finding Justice (2013)
“A huge success.”
Presented & supported in partnership with
With music by two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz, and the support of the Emily Sandall Foundation, as well as James Kofi Annan’s NGO, Challenging Heights. Photography by Rachael Wise.
Filmmaker
Fisher of Kids was written, directed, and produced by Steven Keen. Deeply rooted in advocacy filmmaking, it remains the project closest to his heart. It is a film made not simply to be watched, but to ignite change—and it continues to raise awareness for the children of Lake Volta today.
