Emerging Ghanaian Writers and Why You Should Read Them

A few years ago, I co-created the #readghanaianchallenge with @bookwormingh. This challenge is held on Instagram and Twitter during the Independence Day week of our beloved country with the aim of celebrating and promoting Ghanaian books and authors.

I have observed with concern that the challenge makes little or no room for emerging Ghanaian authors. Ghanaians (I included) are quick to celebrate established or popular authors while they criticize or undermine the work of writers in this new age. These writers are emerging from the shadows cast by established and pioneer Ghanaian writers/authors, whose reputation makes it almost impossible for emerging writers to gain the recognition they deserve.

Recently, I have been approached by some emerging authors; some self-published, others published by traditional presses. My apologies to emerging writers (flash fiction, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry) published in literary magazines who are often ignored or not referred to as writers/authors.

After reading their books, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, it looks like they are at the beginning of what seems like a promising career. I am impressed by how they capture the current Ghanaian experience in diverse and unapologetic ways. What they can do with a pen is mesmerizing. I am convinced that these writers will make a lasting impression in the global literary space. I also think that writers published in literary magazines are proving themselves in the literary space and could benefit from increased exposure.

It’s heart-breaking that Ghana doesn’t have the proper publishing structures in place to enable them to realize their talents. There aren’t enough publishing houses, publishing agents, residencies, workshops, grants, literary magazines, and writing competitions. Yet, they survive and thrive.

Here is my message to emerging authors: You deserve your flowers after writing and publishing on these unfertile grounds.