Okoampa will certainly win the Nobel Prize for Ghana. He is a great poet who has also written many novels. And his English is gbeyee.
If Okoampa wins, he'll stop writing articles for ghanaweb because he'll be so busy goin ... read full comment
Okoampa will certainly win the Nobel Prize for Ghana. He is a great poet who has also written many novels. And his English is gbeyee.
If Okoampa wins, he'll stop writing articles for ghanaweb because he'll be so busy going around the world giving lectures.
Ghana will be proud of him.
Paa Kwesi Mintah 11 years ago
A very good article and well researched.
Mr. Amenyo, you need to give lessons to one serial writer of Ghanaweb, Kwesi Tawiah-Benjamin, who wants to be writer so badly he often speaks in tongues when he attempts to write an ... read full comment
A very good article and well researched.
Mr. Amenyo, you need to give lessons to one serial writer of Ghanaweb, Kwesi Tawiah-Benjamin, who wants to be writer so badly he often speaks in tongues when he attempts to write an article, often veering into another dimension.
In the world of literary prizes, the Nobel is not considered the Holy Grail. The Franz Kafka award and the Jerusalem Award rank up there in the stratosphere. Also the Man Booker and Hugo Awards rank up there. There are also numerous language specific literary prizes around the world that oobscure the English language bias.
Besides, the Nobel committee on literature is not considered to be inside the circle of literature, like the other literary awards where the judges come from the literary field.
Besides, the Nobel is politically tainted and has a slight bias over literary works that have been banned or have fatal political consequences to its author.
Literary works span the non-fiction, fiction, science fiction, politics, criticism, poetry and other subgenres.
As a writer, Achebe achieved the success and recognition of the top one percent among his peers. He doesn't need the Nobel Prize to authenticate his brilliance.
He was one of the most traslated authors of the world. The polish literature Nobel Laureate who passed away recently (Wishwawa Shimborska)(I can't spell her name) was just an incredible writer, yet unknown in the English Language world.
Just imagine if there was such a Nobel prize in the early 19th Century and the committee had to choose between Oscar Wilde, Tennyson, Poe and many others.
For research scientists, the Nobel is the ultimate confirmation of genius, since they labor in anonymity for years without any recognition whereby writers often sell books, make millions and are well known.
When you talk about literary comparison between Ghana and Nigeria, it's like comparing night to day. Let's not even go there. All you have to do is compare what passes here for news article to those of Nigerian website and you'll get the point.
We like posts, positions, prizes and payday. We can let our works speak for themselves without the need for posts, positions, prizes and pay.
For example numerous Ghanaians fret over the Black Stars position in the world football rankings instead letting the BS game speak for itself in the winning column.
Thanks for a good article.
Kofi Amenyo 11 years ago
That was a really nice input, PKM.
Yes, there are indeed other prizes that are very well respected by people in the know. And most of the prizes we know about are too English biased.
The yearly Booker is great too but c ... read full comment
That was a really nice input, PKM.
Yes, there are indeed other prizes that are very well respected by people in the know. And most of the prizes we know about are too English biased.
The yearly Booker is great too but cannot really be compared to the Nobel because it is won for single books and some authors have won it twice. Then it is limited to the Commonwealth which rules out so many other good work from elsewhere. The Man Booker International is more like the Nobel since it considers an author's body of work. But it looks like it sweeps up people left behind by the Nobel. They won't give it to anybody who has already won the Nobel. And it is young. Achebe won it too. But it can gradually catch up with the Nobel. Right now, those who have won it will wish they had won the Nobel rather...
Your observation about the meaning of the Nobel for scientists is very apt. Many people easily identify with the Lit Prize but the scientific prizes mean a lot more to the recipients for exactly the reasons you cited. And often, the discoveries they honour mean more to mankind...
But, you know, the Nobel Committee comprises people "inside the circle of literature". The criterion of becoming a member of the Academy is to be a literary person. All the members are writers of distinction (at least in Sweden) including Profs of Literature. So they should know. The other function of the academy is to watch over the Swedish language - something for experts. The academy selects only the Lit Prize and has nothing to do with the other prizes. Of course, we can argue that membership of the academy is open only to Swedes which is not good. But the academy is like 300 years old and traditions die hard.
Yes, you're right about the Nigerian websites. Those I have visited are far better than what we have here on ghanaweb. And they have several good ones.
As for our love for "posts, positions, prizes and payday", what can I say but hmmmm...
Thanks again.
Kwesi Atta Sakyi 11 years ago
Okoampa's bombastic, verbose,stilted and convulated writing would have won the Nobel Prize in the Victorian era but not in modern times because the nominees and the Nobel Committee will struggle hard to decipher and decode hi ... read full comment
Okoampa's bombastic, verbose,stilted and convulated writing would have won the Nobel Prize in the Victorian era but not in modern times because the nominees and the Nobel Committee will struggle hard to decipher and decode his abstruse and artificial stylistics.
Vodoo Xebieso 11 years ago
It is only a fool like you and the other Akyem dogs who would think the way you think. Okoampa for what?
Nobel Award is too noble to be conferred on a conceited swine, idiot and bastard like the Akyem dog Okoampa Ahoofe.
... read full comment
It is only a fool like you and the other Akyem dogs who would think the way you think. Okoampa for what?
Nobel Award is too noble to be conferred on a conceited swine, idiot and bastard like the Akyem dog Okoampa Ahoofe.
You may award him your "Salifu Award" if you so wish.
Olad 11 years ago
Well researched, balanced, informative, and humorous. A very good article, as Mr Mintah noted (whose contribution is no mean one itself). Thanks for a great article
Well researched, balanced, informative, and humorous. A very good article, as Mr Mintah noted (whose contribution is no mean one itself). Thanks for a great article
Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr. 11 years ago
I didn't want to come in on this for personal reasons: but it is significant for those who do not know to appreciate this fact - see back issues of the magazine "West Africa."
In 1986, the Nobel Literature Prize contest wa ... read full comment
I didn't want to come in on this for personal reasons: but it is significant for those who do not know to appreciate this fact - see back issues of the magazine "West Africa."
In 1986, the Nobel Literature Prize contest was widely speculated to have been between, you guessed it, Ayi Kwei Armah and Leopold Sedar Senghor,former president of Senegal, before it was officially awarded to Soyinka.
What is not discussed here is the fact that Soyinka won it largely because his work spans all four major literary genres - Drama, Fiction, Poetry and Non-Fiction.
Then also, what is not known (Nobel secrecy and all) was the invitation of the late Prof. Ivan Van Sertima, of Rutgers University, New Jersey, and Guyana, and author of the historic classic "They [Africans] Came Before Columbus," who had been specially invited by the Nobel academy to help decide on the choice of the best continental African writer.
It was Ivan Van Sertima who submitted the name of Wole Soyinka. I personally met and spoke to Dr. Van Sertima.
There are other largely political aspects of the Nobel Literature Prize awards, particularly concerning Prof. Achebe, that I don't feel comfortable getting into right now.
Kofi Amenyo 11 years ago
Thanks a lot for your "insider info" and the other points. You know, many of us interested in this topic will be very happy to know that bit that you so teasingly left out. Why do you whet our appetite so? Tell it, pleeease.. ... read full comment
Thanks a lot for your "insider info" and the other points. You know, many of us interested in this topic will be very happy to know that bit that you so teasingly left out. Why do you whet our appetite so? Tell it, pleeease...
Secrecy and secrecy ... the Academy members are human beings and they can talk. If you know more, I do hope you'll, please, come back to tell us some more.
Atta Owusu 11 years ago
I was very shocked to hear of the passing away of this great writer. His novel, "Things Fall Apart", was a book I read in Form three during my secondary school days. The same book was a set book for us at O'levels. No Longer ... read full comment
I was very shocked to hear of the passing away of this great writer. His novel, "Things Fall Apart", was a book I read in Form three during my secondary school days. The same book was a set book for us at O'levels. No Longer At Ease was also a set-book at A'level. Even at the university, Things Fall Apart" was still one of our English text books. Okwonkwo the main character in the book became a household word. I could virtually recite the book without opening a page. I still remember," Okwonkwo was well known in all the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievement. As a boy of eighteen, he has brought fame to his village by throwing Amalinze cat....etc etc. May the soul of Chinua Achebe rest in peace.
leslie 11 years ago
excellent piece.- worthy of the nobel.... congratulations.
excellent piece.- worthy of the nobel.... congratulations.
Mighty man 11 years ago
Even though he was not awarded a Nobel prize, Chinua Achebe succeeded in embossing his name in the golden pages of the literary world. Things Fall Apart has been translated into more than forty languages. He will forever be r ... read full comment
Even though he was not awarded a Nobel prize, Chinua Achebe succeeded in embossing his name in the golden pages of the literary world. Things Fall Apart has been translated into more than forty languages. He will forever be remembered
Benno 11 years ago
A very interesting article! Why did you not mention Ama Atta Aidoo in your last paragraph? She is well-known in the world.
A very interesting article! Why did you not mention Ama Atta Aidoo in your last paragraph? She is well-known in the world.
Kofi Amenyo 11 years ago
I didn't mention Ama Ata Aidoo or Ayi Kwei Armah in my last paragraph because I was looking to the future rather than the past. What do you think - if they didn't give it to Achebe, you think they will give it to Ama Ata or A ... read full comment
I didn't mention Ama Ata Aidoo or Ayi Kwei Armah in my last paragraph because I was looking to the future rather than the past. What do you think - if they didn't give it to Achebe, you think they will give it to Ama Ata or Ayi Kwei?
Kwesi Atta Sakyi 11 years ago
Kofi, we thank you for refreshing our memory about the elusive golden fleece Nobel Prize in Literature. Are you aware of the politics behind it?
Kofi, we thank you for refreshing our memory about the elusive golden fleece Nobel Prize in Literature. Are you aware of the politics behind it?
Kofi diggie 11 years ago
One of the best articles I've read in ages! It was very informative, objective and well balanced. Well done!
One of the best articles I've read in ages! It was very informative, objective and well balanced. Well done!
Kofi Amenyo 11 years ago
Yes, I am aware of the politics behind it. The paragraph that mentions Salman Rushdie is to hint at the political considerations that can influence the award. It was even worse during the earlier days of the award. The academ ... read full comment
Yes, I am aware of the politics behind it. The paragraph that mentions Salman Rushdie is to hint at the political considerations that can influence the award. It was even worse during the earlier days of the award. The academy members themselves often disagree with each other...
Ras Tsidi 11 years ago
Amegah Amenyo,
Your piece is refreshing, a clean break from some of the anemic prose that parade the Ghanaweb.
However, I think Ayi Kwei Armah deserves a nod in the gallery of the bypassed. His body of work reflects th ... read full comment
Amegah Amenyo,
Your piece is refreshing, a clean break from some of the anemic prose that parade the Ghanaweb.
However, I think Ayi Kwei Armah deserves a nod in the gallery of the bypassed. His body of work reflects the crippling effects of the physical and ideological assault on Africans (continental and diaspora) and summons us to fiercely cast off the yoke of mental slavery to regain our rightful place on earth.
Armah is simply too radical and militant for those from whose shackles he seeks to free us.
Have a good day!
Daniel K. Pryce 11 years ago
Kofi,
You never disappoint when it comes to well-researched and uplifting articles. This is a beautiful piece that goes beyond what other Ghanaian writers have written about Chinua Achebe since his demise -- it actually ex ... read full comment
Kofi,
You never disappoint when it comes to well-researched and uplifting articles. This is a beautiful piece that goes beyond what other Ghanaian writers have written about Chinua Achebe since his demise -- it actually explores a theme that is significant to literary works.
I suspect that Achebe did not win the Nobel because of Soyinka. My guess is that the collective bias of the members of the Nobel committee would have prevented them from giving the award to another Nigerian in such a short period of time.
I have read the works of both Soyinka and Achebe and, frankly, Achebe was unlucky not to have picked up the biggest prize in literature. It is also disappointing that the Nobel committee could not stand up for Rushdie, despite the death sentence pronounced on the latter by Iran's Ayatollah. But I am not sure that Rushdie's work is large enough to win the Nobel, but that is up for debate.
Finally, Achebe's supporters should take comfort in the fact that the man was in great company when it comes to those who did not win the ultimate literary prize. Your list basically shows that some of the greatest writers were simply unlucky to have been overlooked.
Overall, thanks for a beautiful piece!
Kofi Amenyo 11 years ago
Yes, it is very probable that these people may have thought a lot about giving it to two writers from a black African country. Even if they don't admit it, it is there in their subconscious. (They are all white!) If Wole Soyi ... read full comment
Yes, it is very probable that these people may have thought a lot about giving it to two writers from a black African country. Even if they don't admit it, it is there in their subconscious. (They are all white!) If Wole Soyinka had not existed, it would have been easier for them to give it to Achebe. I suspect it was even difficult for them to give it to Wole Soyinka in the first place. And to think of giving it to yet another Nigerian? No way!!!
The argument about Rushdie is for the future rather than now. The man is still active but if he should win it, it's about time now for him. He is 65. The average age of all winners is 64!
Dantankwa 11 years ago
Finally I have something worth reading on Ghanaweb. Keep it up Amenyo and more grease to your elbow. You should consider publishing this in a more refined forum which enlightened readership who can appreciate the effort you p ... read full comment
Finally I have something worth reading on Ghanaweb. Keep it up Amenyo and more grease to your elbow. You should consider publishing this in a more refined forum which enlightened readership who can appreciate the effort you put into this.
Azaato 11 years ago
One prominent writer left out of the discussion is Kenya's Ngugi wa Thiongo. I feel he still stands the chance because he is alive and his works are by all standards, worth the price.
One prominent writer left out of the discussion is Kenya's Ngugi wa Thiongo. I feel he still stands the chance because he is alive and his works are by all standards, worth the price.
Emmanuel 11 years ago
no mention of Joseph Conrad's HoD? and the snub of the Nobel committee's invitation?
no mention of Joseph Conrad's HoD? and the snub of the Nobel committee's invitation?
Sankofa 11 years ago
”Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break.”
Chinua Achebe did not need the Nobel Prize award to gain recognition. Achebe was far too good for that.
'Things fall ... read full comment
”Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break.”
Chinua Achebe did not need the Nobel Prize award to gain recognition. Achebe was far too good for that.
'Things fall apart' was always going to cause controversy because of its political connotations. It was earth-shattering, blowing away the false premises upon which colonialism was predicated - the superiority of the whiteman and the uncivilised African - and brutally exposing the breath-taking hypocrisy of the colonialists.
Things Fall Apart was an affront to the sensibilities of the Europeans. Achebe was seen as an upstart, daring to cock a snook at European imperial power.
Achebe's greatness is assured. He will continue to stand tall in world literature, and generations yet unborn will appreciate the immense stature of the man's work and the contribution he made to create a better world.
Kassim Rabiu 11 years ago
The Swedish Academy has criteria for Nobel Price selection. Maybe Achebe has not meant the criteria for nomination. Achebe could also not be nominated because of his few literary works.
The Swedish Academy has criteria for Nobel Price selection. Maybe Achebe has not meant the criteria for nomination. Achebe could also not be nominated because of his few literary works.
Okoampa will certainly win the Nobel Prize for Ghana. He is a great poet who has also written many novels. And his English is gbeyee.
If Okoampa wins, he'll stop writing articles for ghanaweb because he'll be so busy goin ...
read full comment
A very good article and well researched.
Mr. Amenyo, you need to give lessons to one serial writer of Ghanaweb, Kwesi Tawiah-Benjamin, who wants to be writer so badly he often speaks in tongues when he attempts to write an ...
read full comment
That was a really nice input, PKM.
Yes, there are indeed other prizes that are very well respected by people in the know. And most of the prizes we know about are too English biased.
The yearly Booker is great too but c ...
read full comment
Okoampa's bombastic, verbose,stilted and convulated writing would have won the Nobel Prize in the Victorian era but not in modern times because the nominees and the Nobel Committee will struggle hard to decipher and decode hi ...
read full comment
It is only a fool like you and the other Akyem dogs who would think the way you think. Okoampa for what?
Nobel Award is too noble to be conferred on a conceited swine, idiot and bastard like the Akyem dog Okoampa Ahoofe.
...
read full comment
Well researched, balanced, informative, and humorous. A very good article, as Mr Mintah noted (whose contribution is no mean one itself). Thanks for a great article
I didn't want to come in on this for personal reasons: but it is significant for those who do not know to appreciate this fact - see back issues of the magazine "West Africa."
In 1986, the Nobel Literature Prize contest wa ...
read full comment
Thanks a lot for your "insider info" and the other points. You know, many of us interested in this topic will be very happy to know that bit that you so teasingly left out. Why do you whet our appetite so? Tell it, pleeease.. ...
read full comment
I was very shocked to hear of the passing away of this great writer. His novel, "Things Fall Apart", was a book I read in Form three during my secondary school days. The same book was a set book for us at O'levels. No Longer ...
read full comment
excellent piece.- worthy of the nobel.... congratulations.
Even though he was not awarded a Nobel prize, Chinua Achebe succeeded in embossing his name in the golden pages of the literary world. Things Fall Apart has been translated into more than forty languages. He will forever be r ...
read full comment
A very interesting article! Why did you not mention Ama Atta Aidoo in your last paragraph? She is well-known in the world.
I didn't mention Ama Ata Aidoo or Ayi Kwei Armah in my last paragraph because I was looking to the future rather than the past. What do you think - if they didn't give it to Achebe, you think they will give it to Ama Ata or A ...
read full comment
Kofi, we thank you for refreshing our memory about the elusive golden fleece Nobel Prize in Literature. Are you aware of the politics behind it?
One of the best articles I've read in ages! It was very informative, objective and well balanced. Well done!
Yes, I am aware of the politics behind it. The paragraph that mentions Salman Rushdie is to hint at the political considerations that can influence the award. It was even worse during the earlier days of the award. The academ ...
read full comment
Amegah Amenyo,
Your piece is refreshing, a clean break from some of the anemic prose that parade the Ghanaweb.
However, I think Ayi Kwei Armah deserves a nod in the gallery of the bypassed. His body of work reflects th ...
read full comment
Kofi,
You never disappoint when it comes to well-researched and uplifting articles. This is a beautiful piece that goes beyond what other Ghanaian writers have written about Chinua Achebe since his demise -- it actually ex ...
read full comment
Yes, it is very probable that these people may have thought a lot about giving it to two writers from a black African country. Even if they don't admit it, it is there in their subconscious. (They are all white!) If Wole Soyi ...
read full comment
Finally I have something worth reading on Ghanaweb. Keep it up Amenyo and more grease to your elbow. You should consider publishing this in a more refined forum which enlightened readership who can appreciate the effort you p ...
read full comment
One prominent writer left out of the discussion is Kenya's Ngugi wa Thiongo. I feel he still stands the chance because he is alive and his works are by all standards, worth the price.
no mention of Joseph Conrad's HoD? and the snub of the Nobel committee's invitation?
”Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to the other, let his wing break.”
Chinua Achebe did not need the Nobel Prize award to gain recognition. Achebe was far too good for that.
'Things fall ...
read full comment
The Swedish Academy has criteria for Nobel Price selection. Maybe Achebe has not meant the criteria for nomination. Achebe could also not be nominated because of his few literary works.