Over 200 young and aspiring writers from across Ghana have benefitted from a ground-breaking initiative led by celebrated journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, with strong sponsorship from MTN Ghana and Star Oil.
The two-part Creative Writing Clinic took place on June 21 in Accra and June 28 in Tamale, offering budding writers a rare opportunity to learn directly from some of Ghana’s finest literary minds at no cost.
Held at the University for Development Studies International Conference Centre in Tamale, the Northern edition of the clinic brought together participants from various professions including students, teachers, health workers, journalists and development practitioners. Despite logistical constraints, some attendees travelled from as far as the Oti and Upper West Regions, underscoring the high demand for mentorship and training in creative writing.
The brainchild of Manasseh Azure Awuni, the clinic was created in response to growing calls from his followers seeking mentorship and direction in writing. Speaking after the Tamale event, Manasseh told KumasiMail.Com, “I get a lot of requests from people who want to be mentored. I can’t satisfy all of them individually, so I decided to bring people together and create this platform to share useful tips and inspiration.”
Manasseh is one of Ghana’s most acclaimed investigative journalists and the author of five bestselling books. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in English with a focus on Creative Writing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States, a commitment that further reflects his passion for storytelling and his dedication to nurturing a new generation of Ghana writers.
Participants were not only guided through writing exercises but also gained insights from prominent writers Abdul Hayi Moomen and Maukeni Ribeiro, both of whom co-facilited the workshops. The sessions focused on building confidence, demystifying the writing process and nurturing the voice of each participant, whether in fiction or nonfiction.
Central to the success of the program was MTN Ghana, whose support ensured all participants received writing materials, meals and a fully facilitated learning experience entirely free. “We are very grateful to MTN and Star Oil. They made sure everything was free for participants,” Manasseh emphasized.
MTN Ghana’s involvement reaffirms its broader commitment to youth empowerment and education through meaningful partnerships. The telecom giant has consistently backed initiatives that promote creativity, digital literacy and social transformation. Star Oil, a leading name in Ghana’s petroleum industry, also played a critical role in enabling the clinic’s success.
While the current edition focused on Accra and Tamale, the overwhelming interest from participants in other regions signals the need for expansion. “If we get more support, we can hold more clinics in different regions. Some participants travelled almost 24 hours to be here. That shows how important this is to them,” Manasseh said.
Beyond the mechanics of writing, the clinic addressed deeper issue such as dealing with criticism, handling backlash and finding the courage to tell impactful stories. “Writing has power. A class assignment I did once led to the renovation of the Bush Canteen at the University of Ghana. That’s the kind of change I want these young writers to believe they can make even at a local level,” Manasseh added.
With renewed hope and sharpened skills, participants left the clinic more confident in their craft.
For Dorcas Kongwie, a communications professional affiliated with Foto4Change, the clinic was transformational. “Coming for this programme is more like an eye-opener,” she shared. “Being face-to-face with experts like Manasseh and Abdul Hayi Moomen has actually opened my eyes in a lot of ways. I now have a direction as to how I will be writing. I already own a blog, and this will help me identify my voice better.”
Benedicta Daanaah, a budding literary writer who shares her work on Facebook under the name Daanaah, described the experience as “nothing short of stunning.” She said, “From morning till now, it’s just been a master class. The practical session was even mind-blowing. We got to experience how to go about creativity, plot structures, narrative and more.”
Benedicta hopes for a sequel to the clinic that focuses on publishing, now that the foundation in creative writing has been laid. “I’d love a second part of this on publishing. And I really hope it can be done in more regions, maybe quarterly with centres in Tamale, Kumasi and Accra.”
As Ghana continues to nurture its next generation of writers, initiatives like this powered by visionaries like Manasseh Azure Awuni and supported by sponsors like MTN Ghana and Star Oil are proving to be essential catalysts for national literary growth.
Source: www.KumasiMail.Com/Joseph Ziem
