Renowned Ghanaian poet Prof. Atukwei Okai has died
14th July 2018
Renowned Ghanaian poet, scholar, cultural activist and author, Prof. Atukwei Okai has died in Accra, aged 77.
He died at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital on Friday 13th July 2018 following a short illness, according to a statement made by Prof Akilakpa Sawyerr on behalf of the Odoi and Okai families.
Until his death Prof. Atukwei Okai was the Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association of Ghana (PAWA) and considered to be one of the first real poetry performers to have emerged in Africa.
His performances on radio and television include an acclaimed 1975 appearance at poetry international at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London where he shared the stage with US poets Stanley Kunitz and Robert Lowell, and Nicolas Guillen of Cuba.
Prof Atukwei Okai has won a number of honours both locally and internationally during his illustrious career, and was in June 2007, awarded the national award of Member of the Order of the Volta.
He is survived by his wife, Beatrice, and five daughters.
Watch Spotlight on Professor Atukwei Okai by GBC