Silhouetted fishermen and children in a long wooden canoe on Lake Volta, Ghana, at dusk.

“An important film.”

Goethe-Institut Ghana

“A film with the power to make a real difference.”

Trailer TV

“Simply inspiring.”

PACODEP

Fisher of Kids—A True Story

Watch the trailer Facebook
Official Selection—Aesthetica Short Film Festival, York, 2013 Official Selection—Kinofilm Festival, Manchester, 2013 Official Selection—Young European Film Forum, Cardiff, 2013
A Steven Keen film about the triumphant life story of James Kofi Annan—Winter ’12

The film

One boy. Twenty villages.
Seven years on the water.

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.”

Despite being unable to read or write, James taught himself literacy while working to survive. His relentless determination led him through college, eventually rising to the ranks 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

James Kofi Annan. And his
NGO Challenging Heights.

From an enslaved child fisherman who could not spell 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.

Read his full journey
“It shows that freedom can be achieved—and the difference one single person can make.”— Diane Mull, International Initiative to End Child Labor

Lake Volta

The story behind the story:
child slavery on Lake Volta.

An estimated 20,000 children are caught in forced labor in the Lake Volta fishing industry—one of the most dangerous in the world. 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.

~20,000
children in forced labor in the Lake Volta fishing industry, by ILO estimates
1,700+
children rescued from slavery by Challenging Heights since 2003 (see their annual reports)
400+
children rehabilitated in the Challenging Heights recovery shelter
Read the full sourced story

Trailer

One man’s inspiring fight
against an entire industry.

Fisher of Kids—a still from the film at sunset on Lake Volta

Fisher of Kids (18 min, 2013). The full film is available for educational and advocacy screenings—email me [at] stevenkeen [dot] com to request one. The preview above is free to watch and share.

Press

From Ghana’s capital, Accra,
straight to Washington, D.C.

October 11, 2011
Steven discovers James’ story on the internet
January 4, 2012
Support from the IIECL and Emily Sandall Foundation
Summer 2012
Filming on location at Lake Volta, Ghana
June 21, 2012
Jason Mraz lends his cover of “The Freedom Song”
May 5, 2013
World premiere—Goethe-Institut Ghana, Accra
May 24, 2013
UK premiere at the Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye
June 12, 2013
US premiere, Washington, D.C. on World Day Against Child Labor
October 2013
James Kofi Annan receives the World’s Children’s Prize
December 1, 2013
Official recognition and inclusion in the archives of the ILO

“Premiere: success!”

International Human Rights Group

“The world premiere was a success!”

Finding Justice

“A huge success.”

International Initiative to End Child Labor

See the full chronicle

Presented & supported in partnership with

International Human Rights Group International Initiative to End Child Labor Goethe-Institut The Child Labor Coalition La Villa Boutique Hotel Welsh Livery Guild

With the 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.

Steven Keen

Filmmaker

Steven Keen

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.

More about Steven Keen