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Meet the African boy featuring in most memes

By NAIROBI NEWS REPORTER October 27th, 2016 3 min read

You have probably seen him in countless memes insinuating all sorts of things but the photo of the Ghanaian boy was taken during a charity programme by Chicago based artist, Solomon Adufah.

Jake Amo is the four-year-old boy whose image has become popular in memes and the award winning photographer, Carlos Cortes who took the image during Adufah’s visit to his home country, is not happy.

Somethings we can’t control. I know that. But that doesn’t mean we have to like it. This is a picture I took in West Africa. And I totally agree with @solomonadufah #africa #Ghana #SouthAfrica #chicago #Repost @solomonadufah with @repostapp ・・・ The Internet has a way of visually misrepresenting positive images and people often troll shedding negative light on priceless unique moments. In the past several weeks I’ve been receiving emails, texts and tags to speak upon this image which has turned into an Internet meme for people to make jokes off. I wish the positive aspect of this image will go viral instead of how it’s being portrayed as. I understand it’s something I can’t control. I can only continue to positively impact the lives of people with my talent and purpose. Everyone Say Hi to my buddy Jake. This was moments in Ghana during my Art workshop with the kids. Each kid received brand new set of crayons, pencil colors, pencils, toys and other wonderful goodies. The expressions on their faces were heartfelt. People often ask me why and how I’m able to continue helping children through my #HomelandGhana mission. The truth is, it’s never about me. There are 3 things that comes first before my talent. My faith in God, Purpose in Life and the People who inspire my work. To me, my work has no value without these three. I’ve experienced first hand the impact just the little act of kindness can make in the lives of the less privileged. The amount of joy and happiness they have in their heart despite their living conditions speaks volume about their inner beauty. Jake was one of the children I taught in Ghana. He was always gentle and quiet.. Ever present in class and was eager to learn everyday. That’s what I loved about all the children. Their enthusiasm and high spirit was refreshing and encouraged me to continue helping them. shot by: @therealcarloscort #Africa #Ghana #Positivity #viral #inspiration #homelandseriesghana #share #love #peace #impact #philanthropist #artist #meme #SouthAfrica #Kenya

A photo posted by Carlos Cortes (@therealcarloscort) on

Twitter has been awash with the image with some Kenyans on Twitter too not being left out of the meme train.

What many do not know however is that Jake is part of the underprivileged children in Asempanaye village in Koforidua, Ghana.

According to thisisafrica.me, the photo was taken by Cortes as he was documenting Adufah’s visit to his home country Ghana in August 2015.

Adufah shared the picture on Instagram in January as part of the artist’s ‘homeland series’ where he travels to various communities in Ghana, and other African countries to help underprivileged children in local communities, providing them with resources and teaching creative studies workshops.

The iconic image was taken when the artist taught and mentored creative studies and art at Jake’s school in Asempanaye.

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