Veteran Ghanaian playwright and medical surgeon, Professor Zukpitor Lade Wosornu, has been honoured by the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) for his lifetime contributions to literature and the arts in Africa.
The recognition took place during the 2025 Ghana Association of Writers Book Festival (GAWBO Fest) at the Powerhouse in Accra on Friday, held to mark African Writers’ Day. The festival, themed “The Book Industry: The Fulcrum for National Development,” attracted leading figures from Ghana’s cultural and diplomatic communities, including representatives from the European Union (EU), UNESCO, and the Ghana Book Development Council.
In a tribute, GAW President Dr Charity Boateng described Prof. Wosornu as “a literary legend whose works have crossed borders and inspired generations,” lauding his rare combination of artistic excellence and medical professionalism. “His writings are mirrors of our national identity and values,” she noted.
Representing the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Rune Skinnebach reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ghana’s creative and literary industries, highlighting literature’s role in fostering social cohesion and economic growth. He announced initiatives including a support programme for creative SMEs and Sankofa II, a fully EU-funded project promoting heritage and creative disciplines such as literature, music, fashion, and visual arts. He also launched the Africa–Europe Partnership for Culture, a regional initiative focused on capacity building and artist mobility to expand opportunities for African creatives.
Mr Skinnebach encouraged young Ghanaians to pursue careers in arts and culture, stating: “Arts and culture should not be the preserve of a few; they belong to everyone.”
Meanwhile, GAW General Secretary Mr Micheal Agbesi Kelly expressed concern over government neglect of the writing industry, emphasizing the need for greater financial and institutional support for local writers and publishers. He warned that a growing preference for foreign books threatens Ghana’s cultural preservation.
Prof. Wosornu, renowned for his poem “The Sea Eats Our Lands,” was celebrated for blending African philosophy with universal human themes, securing his position among the continent’s most respected literary figures.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
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