Sofia Akel, a 30-year-old British woman, is in Banjul on a deeply personal mission—to trace her ancestral roots and reconnect with her heritage through her late grandfather, Almami Ceesay.

Ceesay, who died 25 years ago, migrated to the UK decades earlier, where he started a family. Despite being born and raised in Britain, Sofia has long felt disconnected from her Senegambian lineage and believes her grandfather was originally from either The Gambia or Senegal—regions where the Ceesay family name is common.

Driven by a desire to reconnect, Sofia is documenting her journey in a film, hoping to share her family’s story with future generations.

“For my whole life, I wanted to come and learn more about where we are from,” she told Gambiana. “This is not only a chance to connect with my family and culture, but also a way to document the journey for others and for my family.”

Sofia hopes to uncover details about her grandfather’s birthplace, meet extended relatives, and gain a deeper sense of identity. “I want to know exactly where my grandfather was born, who lives there, and hopefully meet them—people I can call cousins or my grandfather’s siblings.”

While visiting Senegal, Sofia had a heartfelt reunion with newfound relatives. “Meeting my cousins there was amazing. We’re now in touch, and they’re really cool people.”

On her second visit to The Gambia, Sofia describes the experience as transformative. “The country is beautiful, the people are incredibly kind, and the history and culture are rich.”

She’s also embraced the local cuisine—her favourite dishes are domoda (peanut stew) and benachin (Jollof rice), which she says add a delicious layer to her cultural immersion.

Sofia’s journey is more than a personal quest—it’s a powerful story of rediscovery, identity, and the enduring ties of family and heritage.

By Adama Makasuba