The late Atukwei Okai
African writers have been encouraged to always strive to effect social change and ensure national development with their writings.
This was contained in a statement by President of Ghana Association of Writers (GAW), Mr. Francis Gbormittah ahead of the 2021 celebration of International African Writers’ Day on Sunday, November 7.
“As writers, we must remain resolute to these ideals, and always think about how we can become an effective force to advance our national and Pan African objectives,” it stated.
The International African Writers’ Day was established in 1991 at the Conference of African Ministers of Education and Culture held in Cotonou, Benin.
At that conference, a resolution was passed to celebrate International African Writers’ Day in all African countries and in the international community each year on November 7, which also marks the day the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) was founded.
It aimed at offering African people a time to ponder over and celebrate the contributions of African writers in the development of the African continent.
GAW’s statement saluted and appreciated its members and all African writers for their unflinching determination to transform society and sustain the values of traditions and cultures through their writings.
It praised the late Professor Atukwei Okai, former Secretary-General of PAWA, for his foresight and impressive achievements in the service of the Association.
“GAW believes that the winning of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature by an African, Abdulrazak Gurnah, is a sure signal that African writers are moving in a progressive direction,” it added.
The Association marked the day as part of its monthly variety literary event, on Sunday.