Ghana Students Compete in First Ladé Wosornu Poetry Contest

Students across Accra are discovering the power of poetry thanks to a new competition celebrating one of Ghana's creative legends.

The first-ever Ladé Wosornu Students Poetry Contest brought together six senior high schools in Ghana's capital to perform and analyze poetry in both English and Ga, an indigenous Ghanaian language. The event honors Professor Ladé Wosornu, a beloved creative arts icon who championed the preservation of Ghana's native languages throughout her career.

Held at the National Children's Library in Airport City, the competition asked students to creatively present "Raider of the Treasure Trove," a poem by Professor Wosornu herself. Teams from Accra High School, Accra Girls SHS, Ebenezer SHS, Labone SHS, St Thomas Aquinas SHS, and Wesley Grammar SHS performed the work in both languages and answered questions to earn points.

Accra High School took home the top prize, along with the Most Creative Group Award. Accra Girls SHS claimed second place and the Best English Presentation award, while Wesley Grammar School earned third place and won Best Ga Presentation.

Student Awura Oforiwaa stood out as the contest's top individual performer, earning the title of Student Spoken Word Artist.

The Ripple Effect

The competition is part of something bigger. The Creative Arts Agency Ghana launched the contest as one branch of their "Grow the Artist-in-Me!" project, partnering with the Ghana Library Authority and the Pan-African Writers Association to nurture young creative talent.

This pilot event in Accra is just the beginning. Organizers plan to expand the competition across Ghana's regions before hosting a national final where regional champions will compete for the ultimate title.

By connecting students with their cultural heritage through poetry, the program creates a space where indigenous languages thrive alongside creative expression. It's exactly the kind of advocacy Professor Wosornu dedicated her life to promoting.

Young voices across Ghana are finding new ways to honor their past while shaping their creative futures.