Atukwei Okai’s death a colossal loss – Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama has eulogised the late Professor Atukwei Okai, describing him as a genius and a unique oral poet.

The renowned Ghanaian scholar, cultural activist and author, died in Accra, at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital aged 77.

He passed away on Friday, 13 July 2018 after a short illness.

Until his death, Prof. Atukwei Okai was the Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) of Ghana.

Mr Mahama said on Saturday, 14 July 2018, that he was honoured when Prof. Atukwei Okai accepted him as a member of the Writer's Association after the publication of his book 'My First Coup D'Etat'.

“He was a unique oral poet of our time; a wordsmith whose art was a unique combination of music and dramatization. 'Lorgorligi Logarithms' for which he was well known, tickled our cultural fantasies,” Mr Mahama said.

“He would be remembered as a genius whose musical poetry was not only spectacular in imagery and clever wordplay, but also natural in how it captured the cadences and rhythm of speech.

"I am yet to know anyone who was not delighted after listening to one of those beautiful poetic renditions by Prof., which we are going to miss forever.

"Prof., like the eponymous ‘Rosimaya’, you have finished our Friday and wrecked the rest of our week.

"May your soul rest in peace,” he added in a Facebook post.