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
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.”
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.
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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.
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