Ama Ata Aidoo Centre out with final stories for 'Larabanga' anthology

From the paradise of Busua Beach Resort overlooking the Atlantic, the Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing this morning released a list of twenty-two (22) stories that its panel of judges selected for the forthcoming "Larabanga" anthology.

The applications went through several stages of judging, including internal and external panels involving writers, librarians, academics and avid readers, all of whom reviewed anonymized applications to make the initial shortlist which was then further cut to the final 22.

Editors and publishers at Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing, AUCC invited in September last year writers to submit their short stories for an upcoming anthology of stories set in the Savannah belt of Ghana that came in all styles and sub-genres including humor, quality flash fiction and stories with experimental narratives.

Judging criteria

According to Aidoo Centre’s Director Nana S. Achampong, all eligible applications were assessed on the extent to which they met the set criteria.

“They had to be engaging original short stories rooted in the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions, under 5,000 words, previously unpublished.

We had to ask ourselves: has the writer created living, breathing characters in a compelling story line? Does the literary piece demonstrate imagination, verbal skills, style? Are all the facts representative of history and actual events?

Is the work original and does it convey some unique message? Above all, we were looking for that ‘intangible magic’.”

Following the modest success of the Centre’s debut anthology“Adabraka:

Stories from the Centre of the World”, Ghanaians had expected a flood of entries in response to the “Larabanga” call. In a way, there was some disappointment along the way. After two deadline extensions, the call for submissions yielded 420 entries.

“I spoke with Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo after the initial low response, and she advised that the Centre extend the call. I’m glad we did that…twice, in fact. And we also gave consideration to writers who live or are from the region. This was necessary to allow us to capture the voice of the Savannah in its truest sense. In the end, I believe we got a good mix. ” added Achampong, the anthologist.

“Larabanga: Stories from the Savannah” will be launched at an open event in Tamale May 3.

The Winners

Roughing it Up by Wahab Kombadiena

The Terrifying Screams by Zubaida Ismail

The Negative by Abdul Sataar-Mohammed

The Gyinkye Revolution by Mohammed Abdul-Basit

Techira by Frederick Nii Ofei Bruce

Stay With Me by Seyram Asimah

Sunday! By Ursula Abanga

Shackle-Free by Maame Akua Koduah

Return of the Banished Gate by Akram Hafizdeen

Rediscovery by Salim Abdul-Razak

No Room For Love by Naah Yemeh

Kayayo by Wunpini F. Mohammed

Lareba by Kofi Akpabli

Under the Gleam of the Moonlight by Akorfa Kuukua Dawson

Khadidja by Kwaku Baah Acheamfour

Iron Boy by Jacob Amanor Osae

One Bold Step by Ama Konadu

Esa Kama by Lidia Martos

Born in Other Places by K. Asiedu Benneh

An Intact Spirit by Kwasi ‘Sei

Against My Will by Abaa Moses

Saareh by Elikem Aflakpui