News
launch 3rd anthology of short stories
The Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing at the African University College of Communications, Accra, is launching its third anthology of short stories on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at the AUCC campus, Adabraka in Accra.
The book titled, “The Lockdown: Creative non-fiction about living with COVID-19”, features 16 authors including three men, four non-Ghanaians from Japan, the United Kingdom and United States of America.
The lucky authors who made the cut are Ijahra Larry, Ursula Abanga, Benjamin Cyril Arthur, Philomena Esi Agudu, and Jane Abraham. Others are Samantha Erskine, Emmanuella Obeng-Koranteng, Frederick Nii Ofei Bruce, Emmanuella Ako-Nai, Lawrencia Owusu and Abaa Moses.
The rest are Grace Wood, Miho Boateng, Araba Ofori-Acquah, Franka Andoh and Renee P. Taylor.
According to Nana S. Achampong, Director of the Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing at African University College of Communications, editors and publishers at the Centre invited writers to submit their original experiences in the form of short stories for an anthology from March to December 2020 during the COVID-19 period of isolation.
“In all, the call for submissions received 136 entries out of which 17 authors were shortlisted,” he said.
“Lockdown” is the Aidoo Centre’s third anthology in three years following the previous years’ successful release and limited local tour of “Adabraka: Stories from the Centre of the World and Larabanga: Stories from the Savannah.”
The Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing is a not-for-profit literary resource. In March 2018, the African University College of Communications created a home at its Adabraka campus to honour the legendary feminist author.
The main aim of the Centre is to increase critical reading, creative writing, and literacy generally among the youth in Ghana.
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
