Ananse named after awards

'Ananse', a Ghanaian fictional character is to be named after the highest literary prize for Ghanaian writers this year, the Vice President of the Ghana Writers Awards, Mr Kingsley Kojo Antwi has said.

He explained that Ananse was named after the award due to his originality to the Ghanaian literary setting.

He said Ananse is a popular fictional character created in most Ghanaian literary works, particularly in the folktales.

Mr Antwi indicated that Ananse had been used in most indigenous Ghanaian folktales to correct morality in the society.

"We believe that if there is the need to name anyone after any literary prize for a Ghanaian writer, then the right person is Ananse ", he said.

According to him, Ananse is a Ghanaian character that must be celebrated by all Ghanaians especially in the community of writers.

"Everyone in this country knows something about Ananse. Ananse is an icon in the Ghanaian literature, thus the need to have an award named after him", he said.

Mr Antwi said the award would be named "Ananse prize for literature".

He said Ananse is a creatively, smart, original and intelligent character whose deviant acts have been lessons for human and societal growth and that such attributes must be reflected in the work of the writer who would be crowned with the award.

"Fiction is all about creativity and originality and that is exactly what this award is targeting", he stated.

Mr Antwi, therefore, entreated all unpublished writers to send their works to gawardssubmissions or follow the social media platforms of the Ghana Writers Awards such as facebook or twitter to read more about the eligibility guidelines.

He said the 2016 Ghana Writers Awards was opened for entries on July 15, this year and would be closed on Monday, August 1, 2016.

He said the awards would be organised in October 15, this year to celebrate Ghanaian writers.