BY DANIEL BAMPOE
Former Second Lady and Founder and Chief Patron of the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize, Samira Bawumia, has challenged emerging Ghanaian writers to take responsibility for preserving the country’s rich storytelling heritage, warning that traditional African stories must continue to be told and reinterpreted by successive generations.
She believes the future of Ghanaian literature depends largely on the ability of young writers to draw inspiration from traditional narratives while adapting them to reflect the experiences, interests and realities of contemporary society.
Speaking at the third Samira Bawumia Literature Prize Awards Ceremony and Literary Night on Friday, November 6, 2026, Mrs Bawumia said the creativity of emerging writers was helping to prevent traditional stories from fading into history by giving them fresh meaning and relevance for younger audiences.
She explained that Ghana’s storytelling traditions remain an important part of the country’s cultural identity and must be preserved through continuous reading, writing and creative expression.
“To ensure that those stories, these kinds of stories, continue to live, and that is what makes the work of our young writers so important. Through their creativity, they’re giving new life to our storytelling traditions and making them relevant to another generation,” she stated.
Her remarks placed young literary talents at the centre of efforts to sustain Ghana’s cultural heritage, particularly at a time when changing reading habits and the growing influence of digital entertainment are reshaping how younger generations engage with books and storytelling.
Beyond recognising established and emerging writers, the former Second Lady used the occasion to encourage children and young people to develop a lasting interest in reading and writing.
She expressed the hope that some of the children who attended the literary night would eventually develop their creative abilities and become successful authors whose works would be celebrated at future editions of the awards.
“I hope you will continue to read, to imagine, and perhaps one day write stories of your own. Because who knows, one day we’ll be here gathered celebrating one of you. Let’s keep reading, let’s keep writing, let’s keep sharing our stories,” she encouraged.
Her message reflected the broader objective of the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize, which seeks to provide a platform for literary creativity and encourage young people to see writing as a meaningful avenue for self-expression and cultural preservation.
The growing interest in the initiative was highlighted by its Project Assistant, Gretel Anobey, who disclosed that submissions had increased from 1,629 in 2020 to more than 3,000 in the latest edition.
The increase points to the expanding reach of the literary initiative and the growing participation of writers seeking opportunities to showcase their creativity.
The development also reflects the importance of platforms that identify, encourage and celebrate literary talent, particularly among young people who may otherwise struggle to gain visibility in the country’s literary industry.
The awards ceremony brought together writers, literary enthusiasts, performers and other creatives to celebrate Ghanaian literature and encourage the next generation of storytellers.
The literary night also featured performances by celebrated Ghanaian rapper Okyeame Kwame, who shared how his involvement in the inaugural edition of the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to explore writing beyond music.
According to the musician, his collaboration with the initiative during its first edition motivated him to write two books, demonstrating how artistic partnerships can inspire creativity across different disciplines.
He later entertained guests with a performance of his 2026 track, Clap, adding a musical dimension to the literary celebration.
Ghanaian spoken-word poet and writer Mohammed Jawad Baba Dua also delivered a poetry performance, further showcasing the relationship between written literature, spoken word and performance art.
Master of Ceremonies Apiorkor Seyram Ashong-Abbey also used the occasion to highlight the importance of African writers taking ownership of the continent’s narratives.
She argued that African writers must actively document and communicate their experiences, histories and cultural realities rather than leave the responsibility of interpreting African stories entirely to outsiders.
“African writers must write because African stories must be told the way they should be told; otherwise, it is dangerous to leave them in the hands of others,” she said.
The third edition of the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize Awards Ceremony and Literary Night served as a celebration of Ghanaian creativity and an opportunity to encourage emerging writers to pursue their literary ambitions.
