The Planning Committee of the 17th Ghana International Book Festival (GIBF) has decided on Prof. Kofi Anyidoho as the Legend of Focus for the 2nd edition of the Literary Legends Evening and the 17th Ghana International Book Fair. The Literary Legends Evening program initiated in 2018 is a segment of the Ghana International Book Fair designed to celebrate stalwarts of the literary industry in Ghana and beyond, who through their works have contributed towards the promotion and preservation of African literature. Professor Kofi Awoonor and Professor Atukwei Okaiwere the legends of Focus last year and were honouredposthumously.

Unlike last year’s, this edition would take a different form—host Prof. Kofi Anyidoho in a conversation about his private, social and literary life, performances of his poems by renowned young spoken word artistes who he has directly and indirectly imparted—Kofi Dzogbewu, Oswald Okaitei, Nana Asaase, Lamer James and Adatsi Brownson. Other performers for the evening will include Euodia Attram, Britney Tachie(Erfiyah), Maame Fosuwaa and the Noyam Dance Company. As part of the evening’s activities, there would also be screening of a brief documentary on Prof. Kofi Anyidoho by Doris Kuwornu and exhibition of some of his old works as well as sale of his books. The event would end with Prof. Anyidoho being honouredby the Ghana Book Publishers Association for his tremendous impact and strive in the literary landscape in Ghana and beyond.

The Ghana International Book Festival (GIBF) is a platform where players of the book industry meet to promote the rich Ghanaian culture and literacy through books. This year’s edition besides The Literary Legends Evening has other wonderful segments. These include a Workshop on Managing Metadata to be facilitated by the Book Onix people from UK; Electronic-Publishing workshop to be facilitated by Youth Empowerment Alliance, USA; Time with African Authors; Reading Session with Showbiz Icons and Anansesem Asi Soo…!’ organized by the Bureau of Ghana Languages (featuring Grace Omaboe a.k.a MaameDokunu and old GTV ‘By The Fireside’ cast).

 

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