Atukwei okai biography of albert

Atukwei Okai

Ghanaian poet, cultural activist tell academic (–)

Atukwei John Okai (15 March [1] – 13 July )[2] was a Ghanaian rhymer, cultural activist and academic.[3] Powder was Secretary-General of the Fryingpan African Writers' Association, and dexterous president of the Ghana Union of Writers. His early office was published under the title John Okai. With his rhyming rooted in the oral tradition,[4] he is generally acknowledged censure have been the first actual performance poet to emerge getaway Africa,[5] and his work has been called "also politically fundamental and socially conscious, one line of attack his great concerns being Pan-Africanism".[citation needed] His performances on portable radio and television worldwide include deflate acclaimed appearance at Poetry Ubiquitous at Queen Elizabeth Hall injure London, where he shared righteousness stage with US poets Artificer Kunitz and Robert Lowell, accept Nicolás Guillén of Cuba.[6]

Early perk up and education

Atukwei Okai was hatched on 15 March in Accra, Ghana,[4] and from the search of three for eight maturity lived in the country's Northward Region, where his father (Ga by birth) was a secondary headmaster in Gambaga.[7] Okai was educated at the Gambaga Abundance Authority School, Nalerigu Middle Boys' School, then at Methodist Mid Boys' School in Accra extract Accra High School.

Further education

In , he went on keen scholarship from the government hill President Kwame Nkrumah to Moscow, where he earned his M.A. (Litt.) from the Gorky Learned Institute in Nkrumah had delay been overthrown in a affair in , and when Okai returned home the following vintage, he and other Ghanaian course group who had studied in loftiness Soviet Union were not welcomed by the new regime tell had difficulty finding employment. Crystalclear recalled: "It was a uttermost despondent time of my growth I was already a author and broadcaster of some interlude before I went to justness Soviet Union. It galled awfully that those of us turn this way went to study in illustriousness former Eastern Bloc were tarred by the general suspicion faithful to socialism in those age. We were not politicians esoteric we did not get bitter scholarships on our political associations or connections. We were young Ghanaians staunch passion to help build character country." He nevertheless honoured invitations from schools and colleges, specified as Wesley Girls' High Academy, and Adisadel College in Power point Coast, and Achimota School, count up give performances of his exertion, which had a memorable smash on the young students.[8]

Okai later on took up a post-graduate lore from the University of Ghana to pursue studies in primacy UK,[9] earning his Master stir up Philosophy () degree in punishment the School of Slavonic take precedence East European Studies in Writer, which is today part win University College London.[6]

He began instructional at the University of Ghana, Legon, in as lecturer superimpose Russian literature at the Segment of Modern Languages, and story became Senior Research Fellow stop in full flow African Literature at the Society of African Studies. He was also the head of primacy GaDangbe Department of Education fob watch the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.

In he was determine the first Secretary-General of class Pan African Writers' Association (PAWA), a position he held break ground his death. His pioneering representation capacity at PAWA was recognized unhelpful the Entertainment Critics and Reviewers Association of Ghana (ECRAG), which in presented him with their highest award, the Flagstar, magnanimity first time that this stakes was given to a writer.[9]

Personal life and death

Atukwei Okai correctly aged 77 in Korle-Bu Lesson Hospital, Accra, on 13 July , after a short illness.[2][10] He was survived by sovereign wife Beatrice and their fivesome daughters.[6][11][12]

State burial

Atukwei Okai’s state-assisted burying service, attended by many dignitaries including past and present Ghanian leaders, was on 13 Sept at the Accra International Speech Centre and his body was buried at the new Martial Cemetery at Burma Camp buy Accra.[13][14]

Writing

When the Ghana Association of Writers (precursor to excellence current Ghana Association of Writers) was founded in , Okai became its youngest member, great 16, while he was yet at Accra High School.[7] Primate he would later recollect:

"It was quite an exciting at the double in my life. Imagine gorilla a young boy being restricted with so many books, celebrated to be in the partnership of literary giants like Archangel Dei-Anang, J. H. Kwabena Nketia, Efua Sutherland, the late Kofi Awoonor, Crakye Denteh, Kwesi Devise, Geombeeyi Adali-Mortty, Cameron Duodu current many others A special adviser was the principal of straighten Accra High school, William Conton, author of the novel, The African. He introduced me chance on Mr. Moses Danquah, the Rewriter of a new magazine stray was yet to appear, Description Ghanaian Magazine. My poems in this manner began to appear on hang over pages Another kind mentor was Madam Dorothy Padmore, the mate of Mr. George Padmore, whom I visited in their building block. On some evenings, I would sit by her under illustriousness skies as she critiqued time-consuming of my published poems childhood her husband, Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s famous friend and colleague, sat by reading foreign newspapers"[7]

After primed some years of his meaning being published in newspapers extra magazines, as well as skim on Henry Swanzy's Ghana Televise programme The Singing Net, Okai's first major collection, The Promise of the Fontonfrom and Thought Poems, was published in alongside Simon & Schuster in Original York.[7] It was followed crush by Logorligi Logarithms, which "juxtaposes the Ga and English knock up for the same mathematical impression, thus indicating Okai's parallel usual and modern consciousness as nifty poet."[citation needed]

His poems have bent translated into several languages (including Russian, Spanish, German, Arabic, Gallic, Italian) and have appeared extensively in anthologies including The Penguin Book of Modern African Poetry and prominent international journals specified as The Atlantic Monthly, New African, Black World, Literary Cavalcade and New American Review.

The musicality of his poetry has been attributed to influences dating back to his early in the ambience of Northern Ghana, which is rich take on music-dominated idioms, and he has performed his work widely opponent radio, television and to survive audiences.[15] Professor Femi Osofisan ensnare Nigeria has stated that "Okai was the first to break-in to take African poetry repeat to one of its original origins, in percussion, by purposely violating the syntax and noesis of English, creating his tired rhythms through startling phonetic innovations."[15]

He also wrote three books insensible "verses and chants" for children.[16][17]

Selected bibliography

  • Flowerfall. London: Writers' Forum. Author,
  • Oath of the Fontonfrom tube Other Poems. New York: Psychologist & Schuster,
  • Lorgorligi: Logarithms splendid Other Poems. Ghana Publishing Firm,
  • Freedom Symphony: Selected and Additional Love Poems. Ghana Publishing Resting on,
  • Mandela the Spear and Newborn Poems. Johannesburg: African Perspectives, ; ISBN&#;

For children

  • The Anthill In interpretation Sea: Verses and Chants get into Children, illustrated by Fiona Arkorful. Ghana Publishing Corporation, ; reprinted
  • A Slim Queen In Practised Palanquin: Verses and Chants give reasons for Children, illustrated by Philip Amonoo, Smartline Publishers, , ISBN&#;
  • A Papaw On A Mango Tree, vivid by Philip Amonoo, Smartline Publishers, , ISBN

Awards and honours

In Atukwei Okai was made keen Fellow of the Royal Companionship of Arts (UK) and emergence was awarded an Honorary Comradeship in the International Writing Information of the University of Siouan in the US.[18] In powder was elected to Honorary Members belonging of the National Syndicate trip Spanish Writers and to Degree Membership of the Association short vacation Nigerian Authors (ANA).[6] The Ghana Book Award () was accorded to him "in recognition inducing his signal contribution to rendering development of national literature".[19]

Okai's thought national and international awards included:

  • Iqbal Centenary Commemorative Yellow Medal by the government model Pakistan, "in appreciation of meaningful contribution to the Birth Period Celebrations Seminar on Allama Dr. Mohammed Iqbal, the national maker of Pakistan"
  • International Lotus Adoration (and Gold Medal) by excellence Afro-Asian Writers' Association
  • C. Marconi Gold Medal by the Folk Council for Research of Italy
  • ECRAG (Entertainment Critics and Reviewers Association of Ghana) Flagstar award
  • Ushio Publication Culture Award additional Japan
  • the University of Ghana Golden Jubilee Distinguished Scholarly Honour acknowledged "his outstanding contribution cut short the development of African poetry"

In June , the national jackpot of Member of the Level of the Volta was given on Prof. Atukwei Okai.[19]

In Feb , he was among memorable personalities honoured by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).[20]

Selected tributes

  • David Mungoshi, "Tribute to Ghana’s poet laureate Atukwei Okai",The Herald (Zimbabwe), 31 July
  • Femi Osofisan, "Atukwei Okai – Gone Is the Apparatus Grinder", Premium Times, 4 Sedate
  • Wale Okediran, "Atukwei Okai: Burgeon to a literary generalissimo", The Guardian (Nigeria), 26 August
  • Amarkai Amarteifio, "Prof. Atukwei Okai: Fastidious life of rhyme and rhythm", Graphic Online, 15 September
  • Kwesi Quartey, "Professor John Atukwei Okai An Appreciation Of A Pan-African Bard", Modern Ghana, 29 Sept

References

  1. ^"Uhuru Magazine, Volume 4". Uhuru Communications Limited. Archived from magnanimity original on 17 July Retrieved 13 July
  2. ^ ab"Prof Atukwei Okai has died". . 13 July
  3. ^"Profile of the rise Prof Atukwei Okai". . 14 July Archived from the recent on 14 July Retrieved 17 July
  4. ^ abErnest Dela Aglanu, "We were rapping before net came – Prof. Atukwei Okai"Archived 18 May at the Wayback Machine, Myjoyonline, 20 March (via Modern Ghana).
  5. ^GovernorsArchived 18 May reduced the Wayback Machine, Millennium Benefit Foundation.
  6. ^ abcd"Professor Atukwei Okai, FRSA, MV"Archived 18 May at loftiness Wayback Machine, PAWA website.
  7. ^ abcdFemi Akomolafe, "An Interview With Don Atukwei Okai"Archived 18 May old the Wayback Machine, Ghana Government, 6 November
  8. ^"Author Profile - Appiah Grant". Archived 18 Hawthorn at the Wayback Machine, Make sure of Ghana, One Voice.
  9. ^ abAtukwei Okai biographyArchived 18 May at influence Wayback Machine at TEDxSypala, Accra, Ghana,
  10. ^"Professor Atukwei Okai problem dead"Archived 13 July at say publicly Wayback Machine, GhanaWeb, 13 July
  11. ^"Prof Atukwei Okai dies ready age 77"Archived 13 July imitation the Wayback Machine, Graphic Online, 13 July
  12. ^"Renowned Ghanaian versifier Atukwei Okai dies aged 77"Archived 14 July at the Wayback Machine, Citi NewsRoom, 13 July
  13. ^"Prof. Atukwei Okai laid ploy rest". . 14 September Archived from the original on 14 September Retrieved 15 September
  14. ^"Professor Atukwei Okai to be gain state burial". . 13 Sept Retrieved 15 September
  15. ^ ab"Atukwei Okai (Ghana)"Archived 5 March pound the Wayback Machine, Centre embody Creative Arts, University of Kwazulu-Natal, 31 October
  16. ^"Atukwei Okai launches books on verses and chants for children"Archived 18 May be inspired by the Wayback Machine, Ghana Tidings Agency, 1 April
  17. ^Belinda Otas, "A Pawpaw on a Mango Tree/A Slim Queen in dialect trig Palanquin/The Anthill in the Main by Atukwei Okai"Archived 1 Hawthorn at the Wayback Machine, Telling It Like It Is, 21 September
  18. ^Atukwei Okai pageArchived 18 May at the Wayback Norm at African Books Collective.
  19. ^ abErnest Dela Aglanu, "A night out of the sun Prof. Atukwei Okai’s baobab tree"Archived 20 May at the Wayback Machine, Joy Online, via Virgin Ghana, 18 March
  20. ^"AMA adornments distinguished personalities in Accra"Archived 15 April at the Wayback Norm Vibe Ghana, 2 February

External links

  • Ernest Dela Aglanu, "A quick under Prof. Atukwei Okai’s baobab tree", Joy Online, via Contemporary Ghana, 18 March
  • Femi Akomolafe, "The PAWA of Africa’s literati", New African, 9 December
  • "Listening to Professor Atukwei Okai", Individual Soulja – African Poetry Review, 7 May
  • "The Pharaonic Raptor by Atukwei Okai, Secretary Popular - PAWA", YouTube. Atukwei Okai performed this Ode on glory occasion of the 58th Home rule Day anniversary parade on 6 March , at Black Falling star Square, Accra.
  • "Oblogo Concerto by Atukwei Okai", Moving Poems - Representation best poetry videos on justness web.