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Poets celebrate Ama Ata-Aidoo’s legacy with “Voice On Words” Spoken Word Competition
The All African Women Poetry Festival (AAWPF) recently held its highly anticipated “Voice on Words” Spoken Word Competition at the prestigious British Council in Accra, Ghana.
The event showcased the exceptional talent of young poets from three renowned schools who battled it out for the coveted title. Among the participating schools were Holy Trinity Catholic Senior High School, La Presby Senior High School, and the outstanding representatives from Osu Salem Senior High School, led by the remarkable Ella Ahondo, who emerged as the winner.
The competition, divided into three exhilarating rounds, aimed to celebrate the power of spoken word poetry while honouring the legacy of renowned Ghanaian author Ama Ata-Aidoo.
Rhymesonny, a prolific poet known for his impactful performances and works as a poet and entrepreneur, and Dr. Ekua Kumah from the University of Ghana, served as esteemed judges for the competition.
In the first round, the students showcased their deep appreciation for Ama Ata-Aidoo’s works as they selected poems from her collection.
This segment not only paid tribute to the legendary writer but also demonstrated the participants’ understanding of her profound literary contributions.
The second round posed an exciting challenge, requiring the students to select and perform poems written by female African writers. This segment aimed to highlight the immense talent and diversity present within the African literary landscape, showcasing the voices of accomplished women poets.
The climax of the competition was the final round, where the young poets presented their own original compositions. This round offered a platform for the students to express their unique perspectives, experiences, and creativity through powerful spoken word performances.
The success of the Voice on Words Spoken Word Competition would not have been possible without the generous support of various organizations and institutions.
The KGL Foundation, FanMilk, National Theatre, Ghana Education Service, British Council, and the Black Women Rise Poetry initiative in the USA all playing crucial roles in making this event a resounding success. Their commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting poetry in Ghana is commendable and greatly appreciated.
The AAWPF’s Voice on Words Spoken Word Competition not only showcased the exceptional talent of these young poets but also provided them with a platform to express themselves, raise their voices, and contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Ghana and Africa as a whole.
It is through such initiatives that a new generation of writers, artists, and creative thinkers could be shaped for the future.
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
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Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
