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The Adinkra Poetry Prize 2024 calls for poetic expressions on culture, politics, and change
In a celebration of Ghanaian culture and heritage, The Adinkra Poetry Prize is excited to announce its call for poetry submissions that engage with three selected Adinkra symbols out of the over 200 existing symbols.
The focus for this year includes Fihankra, Nkyinkyim, and Mate Masie. Esteemed preliminary judges for this edition are Emma Ofosua, Apiorkor, and Ko-jo Cue. The head judge for the prize is Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy.
As we approach the upcoming election year, The Adinkra Poetry Prize invites interested people to offer words that surprise, excite, frustrate, and incite change.
They are looking for poetry that serves as a song for change, a chant, a prayer, a potential new national anthem, or guidelines to hold Ghanaians accountable to the cause of the nation and its citizens, “exploring the complexities of love or criticism for our relationship with our beloved nation.”
Writers are encouraged to submit their poetic expressions, with each poem responding to or thoughtfully engaging with the chosen Adinkra symbols within the context of Ghana’s current political and socio-economic landscape.
The competition is open to writers aged 18 and above who are Ghanaian citizens currently residing in Ghana.
The 2024 Adinkra Poetry Prize is generously supported by the Center for Humanities at the University of New Hampshire, the Mellon Mays Foundation, and the All African Women Poetry Festival.
For the prizes, winners in each category will receive $200, and three (3) Finalists will be awarded $70.
Finalists and winners will be officially announced in May 2023 and will be invited to an awards ceremony at the prestigious All African Women Poetry Festival.
Additionally, finalists will also have the opportunity to apply for the WaterMill Residency. Selected submissions will be considered for publication in a digital anthology.
For the written submissions, the writers will be asked to transcribe their work for publication.
Applicants should note that the committee reserves the right to withhold awards based on the quality of submissions.
As part of the submission guidelines, an applicant is expected to submit a maximum of three (3) poems per submission, with each poem directly or indirectly identifying the chosen Adinkra symbol, and limit one submission per person; additional submissions will not be considered.
Poems may vary in length, style, or subject but must incorporate the chosen Adinkra symbol and its meaning.
Organisers have urged participants to exclude any identifying information from the submission document and submit unpublished poems only.
“Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please inform us if your work is selected elsewhere.For any inquiries or questions, please email [adinkrapoetryprize@gmail.com].
Submission Guidelines (Spoken Word): Submit a recorded poem (video) not exceeding 1 minute, with each poem identifying the chosen Adinkra symbol you are responding to. Avoid including your name in the recorded video,” they added.
Deadline for submission is February 15, 2024.
The Adinkra Poetry Prize eagerly awaits thought-provoking and inspirational poetry submissions in celebrating Ghana’s rich cultural heritage through the power of words, and let your voice be heard as we shape the future of our nation together.
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
