Accra, Feb. 15, GNA – President of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW), Mr Francis Gbormittah, has urged the media and the public to help promote Ghanaian literary works, as their themes do not only exude wisdom, but promote the national identity.
He said books played significant roles like documenting a country’s history, promoting its knowledge and value systems, helping to overcome ignorance and superstitious beliefs.
Mr Gbormittah made the call at the media launch of the 6th GAW Literary Awards, in Accra on Tuesday.
He said the activities and works of the Association had not gained the needed promotion and support over the years from the media, though both parties had a consensus to promote their works.
“I will not say that we have achieved that,” the President said, and told the media that it was a challenge seeking sponsorship for organising GAW’s yearly awards that was aimed at showcasing excellence.
“Here we are today about to launch another awards event….
“And our appeal to the media is that you give it the necessary promotion it deserves.”
Madam Doris Adabasu Kuwornu, GAW’s Vice President, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Awards Planning Committee, said the awards were created to inspire and promote outstanding Ghanaian literary talent, this year’s event would recognise writers in 12 categories.
There would be the category of Novel (Ayi Kwei Armah Prize), Short Story (Ama Ata Aidoo Prize), Poetry (Atukwei Okai Prize), Children’s Story Book (Efua Sutherland Prize) and Children’s Poetry (Kwesi Brew Prize).
Others are the Young Writer (Bill Okyere Marshall Prize), where the writer should not be more than 25years, Creative Non-Fiction (Kofi Awoonor Prize), Drama (Efo Kodzo Mawugbe Prize) and Spoken Word (audio/video), (Kofi Anyidoho Prize).
The rest are Script Writing (audio/video) (Kwaw Ansah Prize), Ghanaian Language Special Awards (Kate Abban Prize) and the Science and Mathematics Textbook Writers Special Award (Josephus Anamuah-Mensah and Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey Prize).
GAW called for submission of qualified literary works from January 1, 2021, to March 30, 2022, under the theme “Honouring Literary Excellence.”
The works submitted are expected to demonstrate good linguistic presentation, societal values, universal truths and national identity.
Also, Achievement Awards and Distinguished Service Awards would be given to personalities who have contributed in various ways to the development of literature and the arts in the country.
The Association directed that submission forms, audios and videos of work should be submitted online on GAW Website (www.gaw.org.gh), whilst hard copy and other works could be resubmitted by courier or self-delivery at the Secretariat of Pan African Writers’ Association House (PAWA), Roman Ridge, Accra.
The opening date for the submissions of work commences Tuesday, February 15, and ends Friday, April 15 at 1400 prompt.
GNA