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PHOTOS: ‘The Africa the media never shows you’

Young Africans are eager to showcase the beautiful parts of their continent, which they feel don't get as much attention as they should. Twitter, posted by Rachel Markham

TORONTO — Sick and tired of the way she felt Africa was often portrayed in the media, a 17-year-old girl from Ghana set out to switch up the narrative by starting the hashtag #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou.

“I started the hashtag because I thought the world deserved to know the truth,” said Rachel Markham (@WestAfricanne).

“As a Ghanaian I know very well there is so much more than all the poverty and suffering. Behind that is something that is rarely shown.”

https://twitter.com/ayanyasin_/status/614134231871131649

https://twitter.com/forgottenFINES/status/617795202246418432

The teen said in an email to Global News that she created the hashtag to celebrate the beauty of her continent.

https://twitter.com/WestAfricanne/status/614443662081134592

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A few others have helped Markham get the word out, like her friend Diana (@lunarnomad), who is of Somalian descent.

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https://twitter.com/lunarnomad/status/613661871049043969

The hashtag has been mentioned more than 70,000 times in recent weeks. It’s also drawn plenty of beautiful images on Instagram.

https://instagram.com/p/4zWbpNHLiD/

“I cannot understand how the media has done so little coverage on the progress African countries have made,” Markham wrote.

“From the luxury apartments, shopping outlets, office complexes and also the creation of new cities, townhouses and much more.”

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https://twitter.com/nkosiesam/status/614166781415063557

https://twitter.com/Hebron_Girma/status/615210240972197888

https://twitter.com/ThatEthioBoy/status/615882713493540865

https://twitter.com/ShamsaAhmed/status/613451567589662724

It’s true that much of sub-Saharan Africa has seen fast economic growth. Not only are natural resources still an important commodity, but industries like energy, construction, banking and IT are also taking off.

READ MORE: Rebuilding Liberia

And contrary to what some commericals may have you believe, African children don’t all have flies on their faces.

https://twitter.com/sashasylvie/status/616201536088244224

There are countries with thriving art scenes.

https://twitter.com/ThatEthioBoy/status/616212004387336192

Plus plenty of beautiful beaches.

https://twitter.com/WestAfricanne/status/616383282985455616

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