News
Poets celebrate Ama Ata-Aidoo’s legacy with “Voice On Words” Spoken Word Competition
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/0b36b104-67d1-47c9-be09-6c0e9b300752.jpeg&description=Poets celebrate Ama Ata-Aidoo’s legacy with “Voice On Words” Spoken Word Competition', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/0b36b104-67d1-47c9-be09-6c0e9b300752.jpeg&description=Poets celebrate Ama Ata-Aidoo’s legacy with “Voice On Words” Spoken Word Competition', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The All African Women Poetry Festival (AAWPF) recently held its highly anticipated “Voice on Words” Spoken Word Competition at the prestigious British Council in Accra, Ghana.
The event showcased the exceptional talent of young poets from three renowned schools who battled it out for the coveted title. Among the participating schools were Holy Trinity Catholic Senior High School, La Presby Senior High School, and the outstanding representatives from Osu Salem Senior High School, led by the remarkable Ella Ahondo, who emerged as the winner.
The competition, divided into three exhilarating rounds, aimed to celebrate the power of spoken word poetry while honouring the legacy of renowned Ghanaian author Ama Ata-Aidoo.
Rhymesonny, a prolific poet known for his impactful performances and works as a poet and entrepreneur, and Dr. Ekua Kumah from the University of Ghana, served as esteemed judges for the competition.
In the first round, the students showcased their deep appreciation for Ama Ata-Aidoo’s works as they selected poems from her collection.
This segment not only paid tribute to the legendary writer but also demonstrated the participants’ understanding of her profound literary contributions.
The second round posed an exciting challenge, requiring the students to select and perform poems written by female African writers. This segment aimed to highlight the immense talent and diversity present within the African literary landscape, showcasing the voices of accomplished women poets.
The climax of the competition was the final round, where the young poets presented their own original compositions. This round offered a platform for the students to express their unique perspectives, experiences, and creativity through powerful spoken word performances.
The success of the Voice on Words Spoken Word Competition would not have been possible without the generous support of various organizations and institutions.
The KGL Foundation, FanMilk, National Theatre, Ghana Education Service, British Council, and the Black Women Rise Poetry initiative in the USA all playing crucial roles in making this event a resounding success. Their commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting poetry in Ghana is commendable and greatly appreciated.
The AAWPF’s Voice on Words Spoken Word Competition not only showcased the exceptional talent of these young poets but also provided them with a platform to express themselves, raise their voices, and contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Ghana and Africa as a whole.
It is through such initiatives that a new generation of writers, artists, and creative thinkers could be shaped for the future.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct made against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The allegations were made by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.
In a brief statement, the OSP said it has also received a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions from other persons, in relation to the same allegations.
“Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the statement said.
The development comes amid a heated public feud between the Minority in Parliament and the leadership of GoldBod over the operations of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority, led by Afenyo-Markin, has accused GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana of causing a loss of over $1.7 billion, citing the International Monetary Fund’s August 2026 report. The Minority has vowed to pursue the matter as Parliament has reconvened for an emergency sitting.
GoldBod, on the other hand, has rejected claims by some NPP MPs, including Tano South MP Dr Gideon Boako, that it owes the Bank of Ghana GH¢1 billion in overdrafts, describing the claim as “false and malicious.”
In the latest twist, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of extortion and related conduct, an allegation that has triggered petitions to the OSP.
The OSP is mandated under Act 959 to investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving public officers and politically exposed persons.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
