Ghana’s famous author Ama Ata Aidoo dies at 81

Ama Ata Aidoo, the renowned Ghanaian author and African literary legend, has passed away at the age of 81.

The family of the writer announced her demise in a statement on Wednesday. Aidoo was said to have battled an illness before she passed on.

“The family of Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo with deep sorrow but in the hope of the resurrection, informs the general public that our beloved relative and writer passed away in the early hours of 31st May 2023, after a short illness,” the statement reads.

The author was born in March 1942.

She discovered her passion for writing while studying at Wesley Girls’ High School and decided to pursue a career as a writer.

In 1964, Aidoo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Ghana.

The following year, she put out ‘The Dilemma of A Ghost’, her debut play, and became the first African woman dramatist to have her work published.

Aidoo was renowned for her vast knowledge and writings about feminism, imperialism, slavery, colonial violence, and patriarchy.

She has published 11 books including ‘Changes’, ‘Our Sister Killjoy’, and ‘Anowa’ as well as an edited volume on African love stories.

In 1982, Aidoo became Ghana’s minister for education. A year later, she developed a curriculum for the Zimbabwe ministry of education.

Aidoo has won many literary awards for her novels, plays, and poems.

In 1992, she won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book in Africa for her novel titled ‘Changes.’

In 2000, she established the Mbaasem Foundation in Accra to promote and support the work of African women writers.