Afro Art Gallery, an initiative that seeks to promote Ghanaian culture, literature and poetry has organized the second Afro Art Gallery 2023 to honor Ghana’s iconic writer, Prof. Kofi Awoonor who was murdered by terrorists in 2013 during a visit to Kenya.The initiative, which brought together students from various schools within the La Nkwantanang Madina Municipality, was to rekindling the love for literature and green earth initiatives within the students.
In an exclusive interview, the Programs Director of Afro Art Gallery, Frank Mawuli Suglo explained that the second edition of the project is focused on students from basic schools to instil the love of culture, literature and Climate Change remedies in them. He indicated that 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the demise of Prof. Kofi Awoonor and hence the decision to celebrate his stunning contribution to poetry and literature in the country.
“Lately, a lot of us don’t celebrate poems again, so we decided to do that today and also use the platform to promote greening mother earth because of the issues of global warming. We also realized that this year is Prof. Kofi Awoonor’s 10th anniversary when he met his untimely demise in Kenya, so we have decided to honor and celebrate his works,” he noted.
Mr. Suglo, also appealed to benevolent organizations and individuals to support the initiative to make a lasting impact on this generation and the ones unborn.
A Professor of literature at the University of Ghana and special guest of honor, Prof. Kofi Anyidoho eulogized Prof. Kofi Awoonor, describing him as a fearless person, ready to stand for the truth.
As he said, people will fondly remember Prof. Kofi Awoonor’s contribution to poetry and literature in the country. Prof. Anyidoho believes a state recognition of the works of the professor will be much adored by his family and colleagues.
He further revealed that some activities have been earmarked by the English Department of the University of Ghana, Legon for the celebration of the 10TH Anniversary of one of Ghana’s great academician, Prof. Kofi Awoonor.
“I am excited about the initiative to honor Prof. Kofi Awoornor on his tenth anniversary with sharing of his poetry through these children. This is an important contribution and we are organizing ourselves in the English Department to with a great line-up of programs in memory of him. This is an early start; the actual event will cluster around 21st September, which was the day of his death,” he added.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) Culture Coordinator for La Nkwantanang Madina, Francisca Edem Zanu, explained that celebrating lives of iconic writers is key to the development of education in Ghana. She asserted that people normally limit culture to just drumming and dancing, whiles culture is a complete way of life. Mrs Zanu used the opportunity to advise parents to allow their wards to take up courses in culture and literature, as that might be a life-changing experience for many of these children.
Some schools and individuals who excelled during the quiz and poetry recitals were awarded with certificates of participation and cash.