Discover Top Posts Tagged with #amaataaidoo

In her novel CHANGES, Ama Ata Aidoo addresses Spousal Rape. In 2020, some people still think there’s no such thing as spousal rape. In many culture around the world, women are still considered property to be bought at an agreed bride price, whose value starts depreciating from the moment they lose her virginity. As a playwright and poet, Ama Ata Aidoo has never been afraid to tackle the hard issues. She was a feminist long before the word was coined, and her immortal works will always stay with us. Today, I was going through my archives and saw this portrait I made of her a few years ago. Love you, mom. We will always be proud of you and may we emulate your good works. Photo and Words by Nana Kofi Acquah (www.nkacquah.com) @africashowboy (Copyright: 2020) www.nanakofiacquah.com. #amaataaidoo https://www.instagram.com/p/B8-_rfclI3C/?igshid=1aq1ygu4hcela

#amaataaidoo

View this post on Instagram

#panafricanism #deep #amaataaidoo (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8LBlECC4G/?utm_medium=tumblr

#panafricanism #deep #amaataaidoo

Ama Ata Aidoo, #Ghanaian author, playwright, professor and feminist. She is notable for her books including ‘Our Sister Killjoy’ and ‘Changes’ which won the #commonwealth #writers prize for best book in 1992. _ She turned a whooping 78 yesterday! _ We celebrate her immense contribution to laying the path of progress women in Ghana, #Africa and women everywhere. _ #amaataaidoo #colouredafrica #womenshistorymonth #feminism #feminismisafrican https://www.instagram.com/p/B-HEG8YBCf_/?igshid=tevm38ctcc5z

#ghanaian #commonwealth #writers #africa #amaataaidoo #colouredafrica #womenshistorymonth #feminism #feminismisafrican

Ama Ata Aidoo Champion of literature.

Illustration by Joseph Nyagah

As a self-professed bookworm, I was always getting lost in different worlds, dimensions and other people's heads. I distinctly remember reading, for the most part, non-discriminately, eating up works by Judy Blume, Roald Dahl and Jaqueline Wilson. Even though I didn't find characters that were exactly like me, with regards to my race, I did identify with characters such as Matilda, a bookish misunderstood girl.

I had two books growing up with black characters in them. As an adult, there seems to be easier access to a diverse range of books that are representative of global and multicultural experiences. At the beginning of 2017, I began to search for black and especially African female writers. I have long heard of male African champions of literature such as Chinua Achebe and Ben Okri, but not really heard about the female creators of literature.

When I discovered Ama Ata Aidoo, I was well into my twenties and searching for the African, especially Ghanaian feminist voice. I thought to myself, what do women have to say in the country of my heritage? When I finally made a pact with myself to listen and understand the complexities and nuances of the African female voice. I blended works by Yaa Gyasi and Zadie Smith and mixed them with Ama Ata Aidoo's books including The Dilemma of a Ghost, Anowa, Changes and Our Sister Killjoy. As soon as I read Aidoo's books, I fell for her style and descriptive ability. I was left wondering, where is the celebration of her work? Where are the accolades?

Beginnings

Ama Ata Aidoo, also known as Christine was born in 1942 in South-Central Ghana to a Fante royal family. She is one of many people responsible for opening up Ghana's dialogue on topics such as colonialism, feminism, slavery and imperialism. Aidoo attended secondary school at Ghana's Wesley college in the Cape Coast region. Here she was asked by a teacher, what she wanted to do, she replied that she wanted to become a poet. The teacher then stated, "poetry doesn't feed anyone Christine." That same teacher also bought her first typewriter for her to develop her love of writing.

A turning point in the young Aidoo's life was when she entered a Christmas short story competition sponsored by the newspaper, the Daily Graphic. When she opened the paper on Christmas eve she saw her name listed as a winner. This gave her determination and belief in herself to pursue a writing career. She then enrolled in a BA English degree at the National University, the University of Ghana, in Accra. During her time there she managed not only to complete her degree but also wrote her first play "The Dilemma of a Ghost" which she completed in 1964. The play is based on a Ghanaian man who returns to Ghana after studying in America, with an African-American wife. He and his wife had very different ideas of how she and her husband should live their lives. This play opened up discussions about returnees, culture, feminism and expectations and was picked up by Longman in 1965 making Aidoo the first published African female dramatist. This accolade has created a legacy throughout Africa for several other writers.

Other Work

Aidoo followed that play with several other works including her play Anowa (1970). This tale is based on a folk story about Anowa, a woman in the nineteenth century, who follows her heart to marry a prominent farmer. The protagonist then discovers, to her distaste, her husband is involved in the slave trade. Aidoo's other writing includes Our Sister Killjoy (1977), Changes (1993) and No Sweetness Here (1995), a collection of short stories. Her plays, short stories and novels prominently and confidently display strong female characters, navigating the world through motherhood, academia and love. She also seamlessly weaves in subjects including homosexuality, feminism, colonialism, imperialism, reparations and slavery into these stories and tales. Throughout writing these interesting and ground-breaking plays and stories, Aidoo simultaneously spent the majority of her career in academia. Aidoo became a research fellow at the University of Ghana after graduation, but other roles have included visiting lectureships in various institutions including Brown and Stanford universities in America.

Activism and Legacy

Aidoo also recognised the needs of women writers and introduced a Mbaasem - (meaning women's issues) - in 2000, a foundation that helps and supports women to pursue literary careers. Aidoo continues to be an inspiration for many female writers including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Taiye Selasi who identify her as a beacon and a champion for the art form. Aidoo has consistently identified as a feminist, never afraid of highlighting issues and problems in her writing. Her ability to use poetry and prose to symbolise, aspects of Ghanaian society and her activism, ensure that women are celebrated and respected in society and this is something that should be recognised.