Famous Ghanaian Writers

Yaa Gyasi is a Ghanaian-American novelist known for her works exploring themes of lineage, generational trauma, and Black and African identities. She gained critical acclaim with her debut novel "Homegoing" in 2016 and continued to receive recognition for her 2020 novel "Transcendent Kingdom." Gyasi has received numerous prestigious awards, including the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Award, the PEN/Hemingway Award, and the American Book Award. Her talent and contributions to literature were further acknowledged with a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Literature in 2020.

William Boyd is a celebrated Scottish novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. With a career spanning several decades, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the literary world. Boyd's works are characterized by their rich storytelling, intricate plots, and well-developed characters. He has received critical acclaim for his novels and short stories, which often explore themes of identity, memory, and human relationships. In addition to his writing, Boyd has also ventured into screenwriting, further showcasing his versatility and talent as a storyteller.

Ama Ata Aidoo was a prominent Ghanaian author, poet, playwright, politician, and academic. She served as the Secretary for Education in Ghana from 1982 to 1983 during Jerry Rawlings's PNDC administration. Aidoo made history as the first published female African dramatist with her play, The Dilemma of a Ghost, in 1965. Her novel Changes earned her the prestigious Commonwealth Writers' Prize in 1992. Additionally, Aidoo founded the Mbaasem Foundation in Accra in 2000, dedicated to promoting and supporting the work of African women writers.

Shirley Graham Du Bois was a multifaceted professional known for her contributions as a writer, playwright, composer, and activist. She dedicated her career to advocating for African-American causes and social justice issues, leaving a lasting impact through her works. Graham Du Bois received recognition for her talents, winning prestigious awards such as the Messner and Anisfield-Wolf prizes. Her professional life was characterized by a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and using her creative talents to inspire change and progress in society.

Efua Theodora Sutherland was a prolific Ghanaian playwright, director, dramatist, children's author, poet, educationalist, researcher, and cultural activist. As Ghana's earliest playwright-director, she significantly contributed to the development of modern Ghanaian theatre and introduced the study of African performance traditions at university level. Sutherland founded various institutions including the Ghana Drama Studio, Ghana Society of Writers, Ghana Experimental Theatre, and Afram Publications. She was a dedicated cultural advocate for children, pioneering educational curricula, literature, and film for Ghanaian children. Through her pan-Africanism, she collaborated with influential figures in African and African diaspora communities.

Ayi Kwei Armah is a prominent Ghanaian writer acclaimed for his impactful novels such as The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, Two Thousand Seasons, and The Healers. His literary career spans across various genres, including essays, poetry, short stories, and children's books. Armah's works delve into themes of post-colonial Africa, societal corruption, and the quest for personal and cultural identity. Through his writing, he has made significant contributions to African literature, earning recognition and respect both locally and internationally.

Kofi Awoonor was a renowned Ghanaian poet, author, and diplomat known for his unique blending of Ewe poetic traditions with contemporary and religious symbolism. He began his writing career under the name George Awoonor-Williams and also published works as Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor. Awoonor was a respected professor of African literature at the University of Ghana, where he shared his expertise and passion for literature with students. Tragically, he was among the victims of the September 2013 attack at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, while participating in the Storymoja Hay Festival.

Abena Busia is a respected Ghanaian writer, poet, feminist, and diplomat. She holds the position of associate professor of Literature in English and women's and gender studies at Rutgers University. In addition to her academic role, she serves as Ghana's ambassador to Brazil with accreditation to the other 12 republics of South America. Busia's professional life is characterized by her contributions to literature, academia, and diplomacy, showcasing her dedication to advancing women's rights and representing her country on the global stage.

Margaret Busby, also known as Nana Akua Ackon, is a prominent Ghanaian-born publisher, editor, writer, and broadcaster based in the UK. She made history as Britain's youngest and first black female book publisher when she co-founded the London-based publishing house Allison and Busby in the 1960s. Busby has edited influential anthologies such as Daughters of Africa and its follow-up New Daughters of Africa. Her contributions to literature have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature and the London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award. Moreover, she was appointed as the president of English PEN in 2023.

Lesley Naa Norle Lokko is a distinguished Ghanaian-Scottish academic, novelist, and architect. She has held various prestigious positions in the field of architecture in cities such as New York, Johannesburg, London, Accra, and Edinburgh. In 2015, Lokko founded the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg, focusing on postgraduate architecture education. She later established the African Futures Institute in Accra, Ghana, which serves as a postgraduate school of architecture and a platform for public events. Recognized for her significant contributions, she was awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architecture and was listed as one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

Francis Selormey was a versatile professional who excelled in various fields throughout his career. He started as a teacher after studying physical education in Ghana and Germany. He then transitioned to sports administration, holding roles such as Senior Sports Organizer for the Central Region and Director of Sports for the Sports Council of Ghana. Additionally, he worked as a scriptwriter for the Ghana Film Industry Corporation. Selormey's literary contributions include "The Narrow Path: An African Childhood," a semiautobiographical work that explores themes of cultural conflict and identity.

Efemia Chela is a Zambian-Ghanaian writer, literary critic, and editor with a diverse and accomplished professional background. She gained recognition for her short story "Chicken," which was shortlisted for the prestigious 2014 Caine Prize for African Writing. Chela has contributed short stories and poems to various publications, including New Internationalist and Wasafiri. In addition to her writing, she co-edited the Short Story Day Africa collection "Migrations" and served as the Andrew W. Mellon Writer-in-Residence at Rhodes University. Currently, she holds the position of Francophone and Contributing editor at The Johannesburg Review of Books.

Kwesi Kwaa Prah is an accomplished author, public speaker, and Sociology professor with a career spanning several decades. He is known for his extensive work in academia, particularly focusing on Africa's history and future prospects. Prah has authored numerous books and articles, addressing key issues such as race, education, and social reforms. As the founder and Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society (CASAS), he has made significant contributions to the field of Sociology and Anthropology through his research and teaching roles in various universities across Africa, Europe, and Asia.